Texas school shooting: 18 children and 3 teachers killed in shootout, several injured
In the United States, a teenage gunman has killed 18 children and three teachers and injured others at a Texas elementary school in Uvalde. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the 18-year-old gunman has been killed. The pupils were in second, third, and fourth grades – meaning aged between 7 and 10. It is the deadliest shooting at a US grade school since the shocking attack at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, almost a decade ago. And it came just 10 days after a gunman in body armor killed 10 Black shoppers and workers at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
Abbott said the gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde with a handgun and possibly a rifle. Officials did not immediately reveal a motive, but the Governor identified the assailant as Salvador Ramos. Abbott said the shooter was likely killed by police officers but that the events were still being investigated. The school district’s police chief, Pete Arredondo, said that the attacker acted alone.
Robb Elementary School has an enrollment of just under 600 students.
U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered flags flown at half-staff until sunset daily until May 28 in observance of the tragedy.
President Joe Biden delivered an emotional call for new restrictions on firearms after a gunman opened fire at a Texas elementary school. He asked when in God’s name, we are going to stand up to the gun lobby?. He said this at the White House shortly after returning from a five-day trip to Asia. With first lady Jill Biden standing by his side in the Roosevelt Room, Biden added, he is sick and tired. The President said we have to act.
