Cher, Biden among celebs responding to HPD Chief Acevedo's anti-NRA comments in wake of cop's death

Big-name celebrities and politicians have jumped into an online Twitter frenzy that was started after Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo made anti-National Rifle Association (NRA) remarks during a Monday press conference following the shooting death of an HPD sergeant. less Big-name celebrities and politicians have jumped into an online Twitter frenzy that was started after Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo made anti-National Rifle Association (NRA) remarks during a Monday press ... more Photo: Title Slide Photo: Title Slide Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Cher, Biden among celebs responding to HPD Chief Acevedo's anti-NRA comments in wake of cop's death 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Big-name celebrities and politicians such as Cher and former Vice President Joe Biden have jumped into an online Twitter frenzy that was started after Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo made anti-National Rifle Association (NRA) remarks during a Monday press conference following the shooting death of an HPD sergeant.

Acevedo challenged several Texas lawmakers during the Monday press conference after Sgt. Christopher Brewster was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call. The alleged shooter, 25-year-old Arturo Solis, reportedly has a history of family violence and mental illness.

Acevedo took aim at lawmakers for failing to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act due to pressure from the NRA, adding that legislation should be passed to prevent abusers from owning a firearm, the Houston Chronicle reported.

“And who killed our sergeant? A boyfriend abusing his girlfriend,” Acevedo said during the conference. “So you’re either here for women and children and our daughters and our sisters and our aunts or you’re here for the NRA. Make up your minds."

Twitter users erupted to Acevedo's comments shortly thereafter, with big-name celebrities and politicians speaking out mostly in a show of support for the chief.

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Slain Houston police sergeant Chris Brewster remembered for his friendly manner, heroism

Pop icon Cher tweeted in response to the press conference video, calling Acevedo a "hero" for having "the guts to call out lazy, inept politicians who put nothing on the line and do nothing but kiss a** to keep their do-nothing jobs, offer empty condolences and blame mental health."

Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke retweeted the video, simply calling Acevedo's remarks "leadership in gun violence."



Acevedo's remarks were also met with some criticism from NRA supporters and Senate Republicans. The Houston police union accused Acevedo of "hijacking" the "somber moment" to push his own agenda, while senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn condemned his remarks, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Click through the photos above for a look at Twitter reactions to the chief's controversial comments...

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Advocates: Immediate Senate funding critical for Houston domestic violence survivors

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com