Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
OAN NEWSROOM
UPDATED 6:36 AM PT – Wednesday, May 25, 2022
A small community in Texas is mourning following the deadly mass shooting at a school. At least 19 students and two adults were killed Tuesday when a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is located West of San Antonio.
Officials from the local school district said their hearts are broken and their thoughts as well as their prayers are with all the families affected by the tragedy. They also said grief counseling and support will be available for students, staff and community members.
This comes as investigators are trying to determine a motive in the shooting after suspect Salvador Ramos, 18, opened fire at the school. According to authorities, he acted alone and shot dead by responding police officers.
“The investigation is leading to tell us the suspect did act alone during this heinous crime,” stated Pete Arredondo, the Chief of Police for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District officials said all local schools went into lockdown as news of the active shooter spread. Student and teachers were evacuated to the city’s Civic Center, where parents were told they could pick up their children.
The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
While speaking during a press conference, Governor Greg Abbott (R) confirmed two officers were injured by gunfire, but are expected to make full recoveries.
Texans are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime & for the community of Uvalde.
Cecilia & I mourn this horrific loss & urge all Texans to come together.
I’ve instructed @TxDPS & Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. pic.twitter.com/Yjwi8tDT1v
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 24, 2022
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed their condolences for the families who lost loved ones in Texas. On Tuesday, nearly every legislator took to social to send out sympathies following the mass shooting.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) offered up prayers. Additionally, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) ordered flags in her state to be flown at half-staff through Saturday in honor and remembrance of the victims.
I’ve ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately through sunset on Saturday in honor and remembrance of the victims in the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Texas today.https://t.co/mvwzLV8wo4
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) May 24, 2022
Even former members of Congress spoke out with Tulsi Gabbard grieving the loss while suggesting schools should establish a single point of entry, have armed guards, trained staff and mental health services.
President Joe Biden also addressed the nation following the tragic shooting. He commented about how had previously spoken following the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting while noting there have been over 900 reported incidents of gunfire on school grounds since that incident.
“Why are we willing to live with this carnage? Why do we keep letting this happen?” Biden asked. “Where in God’s name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with it? It’s time to turn this pain into action.”
Meanwhile, the shooting remains under investigation as police try to determine the motive behind the massacre.