(CNN) It has become all too familiar, but the shock, sadness and exasperation we usually see on social media was once again on display after the shooting in San Bernardino, California.
The No. 1 trend on Twitter, for example, was #SanBernadino (yes, that includes a typo), followed by (in no particular order) #SanBernardino (correctly spelled), #Prayforsanbernardino and Inland Regional Center, the site of the most deadly shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012. Police said shooters killed at least 14 people.
As the hashtag said, many were calling for prayer after this incident, including many residents who couldn't believe this was happening in their community.
At the same time, social media was filled with graphics encouraging prayer at this time of mourning for the country, by celebrities, networks and ordinary Americans, some of whom called for action to be taken after this year's spate of shootings.
However, one senator caused controversy by seemingly dismissing thoughts and prayers (placing them in quotes), and saying that action must be taken instead (a position that also had a lot of support on social media, to be sure).
"Your 'thoughts' should be about steps to take to stop this carnage. Your 'prayers' should be for forgiveness if you do nothing -- again," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, tweeted.
One Christian pastor, Nick Uva, tweeted, "This is highly offensive. I can be outraged and still ask God to help the hurting. Please reconsider."
Nevertheless, one message of support was sent to California from Colorado, a state with its share of recent shootings, in Aurora in 2012 and Colorado Springs less than a week before. Gov John Hickenlooper tweeted, "California, Colorado is keeping you in our hearts tonight."