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In Uvalde, Texas, a gunman has walked into an elementary school and gone on a shooting spree, killing at least 14 students and one teacher in his wake. Gov. Greg Abbott has detailed that the gunman, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Romas, was also killed in the shooting. It has been reported that the gunman was either a current or former student at Uvalde High School. Authorities have shared that it appears Romas acted alone on the shooting.
Abbott stated that Romas had shot his grandmother prior to entering Robb Elementary School to begin his shooting rampage at around 11:30 am on May 24. Allegedly, the gunman possessed both a handgun and possibly a rifle and while the investigation is still ongoing, its thought that Romas likely was killed by responding officers.
UPDATE: The gunman fled the scene after shooting his grandmother, who was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital. The original precipitating event that sparked the shooting is still being investigated.
Included in the injured are two law enforcement officers that were shot but are stable as well as a 10-year-old girl and a 66-year-old woman who are currently in critical condition at University Hospital.
Gov. Abbott made a statement regarding the gruesome events saying:
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde. Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering. We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School. I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is charged with providing local officials all resources necessary to respond to this tragedy as the State of Texas works to ensure the community has what it needs to heal.”
Uvalde Police Chief Pete Arredondo stated that families of the victims have since been notified.
This shooting is being labelled as the deadliest at a school in Texas and comes just four years after a shooting that killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School in Houston.
A news conference has been scheduled for this evening at 5 p.m. to offer additional details on the shooting.
UPDATE: President Biden is also expected to hold a news conference on the shooting around 8 p.m. ET.
Robb Elementary School students were evacuated to Willie DeLeon Civic Center where parents are allowed to pick them up. The school district has cancelled all school activities at this point and the San Antonio Police Department is on stand-by for further assistance as needed.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has also shared that the county is sending help to the grief-stricken community.
“It is with profound grief and broken hearts that we learn about the news coming our way this afternoon. We stand united with the community in Uvalde and offer our assistance. We also mourn with them over the lives of those children and adults lost to violence. Bexar County is sending personnel and material from the Office of Emergency Management, the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, and University Hospital to support the ongoing operation,” Wolff stated.
UPDATE: Recent reports state that Sen. Roland Gutierrez was briefed by police, who have shared that the death toll has increased to 18 children and 3 adults.
Source: ksat.com
