Uvalde school shooting

Coordinates: 29°11′58″N 99°47′18″W / 29.19944°N 99.78833°W / 29.19944; -99.78833
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Robb Elementary School shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States
Map
Location of Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX
LocationRobb Elementary School
715 Old Carrizo Road
Uvalde, Texas, U.S.
Coordinates29°11′58″N 99°47′18″W / 29.19944°N 99.78833°W / 29.19944; -99.78833
DateMay 24, 2022 (2022-05-24) (UTC−05:00)
Attack type
School shooting, mass shooting, pedicide
WeaponsHandgun, possibly a rifle
Deaths22 (including the perpetrator)
PerpetratorSalvador Rolando Ramos
MotiveUnknown

On May 24, 2022, 18-year-old Salvador Rolando Ramos opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, killing 21 people. Earlier that day, Ramos shot and wounded his grandmother before proceeding to the school.[1] Of the people fatally shot, 19 were children and two were adults,[2] and several other children were wounded. Ramos was killed after a shootout with police.

The attack was the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.[3] It was the 27th shooting on school grounds in the United States for 2022.[4]

Background

90 percent of Robb Elementary School's student body is Hispanic, and roughly 81 percent of the student population comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.[5] The school serves about 600 second through fourth grade students in Uvalde, Texas, a city that is nearly half non-English speaking.[6][7] Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, the school district governing Robb Elementary School, reportedly had multiple security measures in place at the time of the shooting, including four officers working within the school district and a security staff that patrolled door entrances and parking lots at secondary campuses. Many other measures were utilized as well.[8]

Uvalde is a Latino-majority city[1] of about 16,000 people in the South Texas region; it is located about 60 miles (100 km) from the United States–Mexico border and about 85 miles (135 km) from San Antonio.

The perpetrator, 18-year-old Salvador Rolando Ramos (May 16, 2004 – May 24, 2022), a resident of Uvalde and a student at Uvalde High School, legally purchased two military-style rifles from a local gun store on May 16, 2022, his 18th birthday, according to Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez.[9][10] Ramos posted a picture of the two AR-15 style rifles on his Instagram account three days before the shooting.[11]

Shooting

Sometime before 11:30 a.m., he reportedly shot and wounded his grandmother at their home in Uvalde;[12][13] she was airlifted and hospitalized in critical condition.[14]

After crashing a black SUV outside of the school, Ramos emerged, according to police, wearing body armor, a backpack, and all black clothing while carrying a handgun, an AR-15 style rifle, and high capacity magazines. According to police, Ramos then shot a Uvalde Independent School District police officer who attempted to stop him from entering the building.[15]

Ramos is estimated to have entered the school at around 11:30 a.m. CDT.[1][10][12][16][17] The Uvalde CISD Police Chief estimated that the shooting began two minutes later, and according to a Facebook post by the school, the school was placed on lockdown at 11:43 a.m. in response to gunshots in the neighborhood.[18] At 1:17 p.m., the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District sent out a message on Twitter that there was an active shooter at the elementary school.[16]

As Uvalde ISD officers (school police guards) exchanged fire with Ramos, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit agents arrived at the school in response to a request for assistance from authorities; they also traded fire with Ramos, with one agent sustaining injuries to the head.[15] According to authorities, a Border Patrol agent then shot and killed Ramos.[1]

Victims

At least 19 children including Xavier Lopez and Amerie Jo Garza, both 10 years old, and two adults including Eva Mireles, a fourth grade teacher, were killed in the shooting.[19] Two victims of the shooting died upon arriving at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.[20]

Uvalde Memorial Hospital CEO Tom Nordwick indicated that 13 children were taken there, and that at least three wounded individuals had been or were to be transferred again.[6] Several victims were taken to the University Hospital in San Antonio.[21]

Governor Greg Abbott said two officers were struck by bullets but had no serious injuries.[22]

The school serves children in grades two, three, and four; meaning students from seven through ten years of age.[23]

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were reported to be in Uvalde, assisting local police in the investigation of the shooting.[24][25]

Aftermath

The school district initially asked parents to not pick up their children until after all students had been accounted for, causing for parents to be notified to pick up their children around 2:00 p.m. Additionally all district and campus activities were canceled and parents of the other schools were asked to pick their children up as school bus transportation had been canceled.[8] The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center issued an urgent request for blood donations after the shooting and sent 15 units of blood to Uvalde via helicopter to be used in area hospitals.[26]

School district superintendent Hal Harrell announced that night in a letter sent to parents that the school year had concluded for the entire district, including a planned graduation ceremony. The school year had been previously scheduled to end that Thursday.[27]

Television network CBS pulled the fourth season finale of FBI that was to air that night, which involved a fictional school shooting as a plot point.[28] Uvalde Memorial Hospital announced on Facebook that they will be holding a emergency blood drive for the victims of the shooting.[29]

Responses

Representatives for President Joe Biden, who was returning to the United States from a trip to Asia, announced that he had been briefed on the shooting and that he would be making public remarks later that evening after arriving back home.[30][31] Following the shooting, Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff.[32] Biden reportedly spoke with Abbott aboard Air Force One.[33] Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the shooting at a Tuesday event and called for policy changes to ensure it never happens again.[34] During Biden's speech address of the shooting, he said: "As a nation we have to ask when in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby" and "I am sick and tired of it—we have to act." Biden did not elaborate on what, if any, action he had in mind.[35]

Several U.S. senators offered their condolences. Senator Mitch McConnell tweeted that the shooting left him "horrified and heartbroken",[36] and Senator Susan Collins described the shooting as "unbelievably tragic and horrible".[37] Senator Ted Cruz called the shooting "yet another act of evil and mass murder" and offered his prayers to the families and children affected by the shooting and that the country has seen "too many of these shootings". Additionally, Cruz claimed that some politicians would politicize the shooting to push for stricter gun reforms.[38][39] Users on social media accused him of hypocrisy for accepting money from gun activists and for planning to speak at an upcoming NRA annual meeting with Senator John Cornyn and Governor Abbott.[40] Gun control activist and father of a Parkland shooting victim, Manuel Oliver, issued a statement expressing his outrage about the shooting and said that the families of the victims do not need the thoughts and prayers of politicians; instead, "they need their kids."[41]

Several families of victims in the Sandy Hook shooting spoke out, with several calling for stricter gun control.[42] Activist Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed during the Parkland shooting, also called for politicians to enact stricter gun control, and expressed support for the families of Robb Elementary School victims.[43]

The attack also received condemnation from former presidents Bill Clinton[34] and Barack Obama,[44] as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Martinez, Christian; Hennessy-Fiske, Molly; Jarvie, Jenny (May 24, 2022). "19 children and 2 adults die in Texas school shooting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "At least 19 children killed in Texas elementary school shooting". WYFF. Associated Press. May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Gamio, Lazaro; Hubler, Shawn (May 24, 2022). "Texas Massacre Is the Second-Deadliest School Shooting on Record". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Diaz, Jaclyn (May 24, 2022). "27 school shootings have taken place so far this year". NPR. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Henderson, Jennifer; Lynch, Jamiel; Levenson, Eric. "Shooting at a Texas elementary school leaves 14 students and a teacher dead, governor says". NewsWatch 12 KDRV. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Fieldstadt, Elisha; Burke, Minyvonne; Romero, Dennis (May 24, 2022). "19 children, 2 teachers killed in Texas elementary school shooting". CNBC. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Romo, Vanessa (May 24, 2022). "A gunman killed at 19 children and 2 adults at a Texas elementary school". NPR. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Conklin, Audrey (May 24, 2022). "Texas mass shooting: Uvalde school district had security measures in place prior to tragedy". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Ballard, Moriah; Arnold, Robert; Diaz, Mario (May 24, 2022). "SUSPECT INFO: New details obtained about 18-year-old shooter who officials say killed 19 students, 2 adults at Texas elementary school". KPRC. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Tebor, Celina (May 24, 2022). "Alleged Texas school shooting gunman identified: What we know about the suspect, his motive and more". USA Today. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  11. ^ CNN Investigations (May 24, 2022). "Instagram account linked to gunman posted images of weapons just days before school massacre". CNN. Retrieved May 24, 2022. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ a b Hurley, Bevan (May 25, 2022). "Salvador Ramos: Everything we know about Texas school mass shooter". The Independent. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Goodman, J. David (May 24, 2022). "The state police said the suspect's grandmother was shot at her house, the address the gunman listed on his driver's license". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  14. ^ Levenson, Eric; Rose, Andy; Almasy, Steve (May 24, 2022). "Gunman at a Texas elementary school kills 19 students and two adults before being fatally shot, officials say". CNN. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Osborne, Mark; Deliso, Meredith (May 24, 2022). "At least 19 children, 2 adults dead after shooting at Texas elementary school". ABC News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "At least 19 children, 2 adults killed after shooter opens fire at Texas elementary school". CBS News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  17. ^ Reilly, Katie; Popli, Nik; Zorthian, Julia (May 24, 2022). "What We Know So Far About the Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas". Time. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Stringini, Mary (May 24, 2022). "Texas school shooting: 19 children, 2 adults killed before gunman shot". WJBK. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Teacher killed in Texas school shooting identified: What we know about victims". ABC13 Houston. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  20. ^ Harrington, Joe (May 24, 2022). "'We keep putting them in harms way at school.' LeBron James on Texas school shooting". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  21. ^ Salinas, Rebecca; Ibañez, David (May 24, 2022). "21 killed in shooting at Uvalde elementary school shooting". KSAT-TV. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  22. ^ Pengelly, Martin; Levin, Sam (May 24, 2022). "Nineteen students and two adults killed in Texas school shooting, state senator says". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  23. ^ Casas, Angelica; Matza, Max (May 24, 2022). "Texas shooting: 19 children among dead in primary school attack". BBC News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  24. ^ Henderson, Jennifer; Lynch, Jamiel; Levenson, Eric. "At least two are dead and others injured after a shooting at a Texas elementary school, hospital officials say". CNN. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  25. ^ Graziosi, Graig; Massie, Graeme; Singh, Namita (May 24, 2022). "Texas school shooting - live: Child death toll rises to 19 as Biden demands action". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  26. ^ King, Cody (May 24, 2022). "Uvalde elementary shooting: How to help, where to donate blood". KSAT. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  27. ^ Albert, Victoria (May 24, 2022). "Robb Elementary ends school year". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  28. ^ White, Peter (May 24, 2022). "CBS Pulls 'FBI' Season Finale After Tragic School Shooting In Texas". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  29. ^ "19 students, 2 adults killed in shooting at Texas elementary school, gunman also dead, governor says". WKMG. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  30. ^ Garcia, Eric. "Biden briefed on elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  31. ^ Watson, Kathryn (May 24, 2022). "Biden to speak on Texas school shooting Tuesday night". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  32. ^ Watson, Kathryn (May 24, 2022). "Biden: "When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?"". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  33. ^ Shear, Michael (May 24, 2022). "The White House on Tuesday released a photo of President Biden talking to Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas aboard Air Force One". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  34. ^ a b O'Kane, Caitlin (May 24, 2022). "'Grief overwhelms the soul': Politicians and celebrities react to Texas elementary school mass shooting". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  35. ^ Cathey, Libby; Carlson, Adam; Garcia, Armando (May 24, 2022). "Biden addresses nation on 'horrific' Texas school shooting: 'We have to act'". ABC News. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  36. ^ Montague, Zach (May 24, 2022). "Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, tweeted that the shooting had left him "horrified and heartbroken."". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  37. ^ Cochrane, Emily (May 24, 2022). "Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, described the attack as an "unbelievably tragic and horrible crime," and expressed support for so-called "red flag laws" that help restrict potentially violent individuals from accessing firearms". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  38. ^ Pettaway, Taylor; Burke, Dana; Foxhall, Emily (May 24, 2022). "Live updates: Uvalde school shooting deaths climb to 21, including 19 children, AP says". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  39. ^ Franck, Thomas; Mangan, Dan (May 24, 2022). "'Why are we willing to live with this carnage?' Biden pushes to tighten gun laws after Texas school shooting". CNBC. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  40. ^ Stevenson, Stefan (May 24, 2022). "'How do you sleep at night?' Texas Sen. Ted Cruz faces backlash after Uvalde shooting". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  41. ^ Oshin, Olafimihan (May 24, 2022). "Father of Parkland victim responds to Texas shooting: 'I am very angry'". The Hill. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  42. ^ "Sandy Hook families speak out after Uvalde school shooting". the Guardian. May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  43. ^ "Parkland father reacts to Texas school shooting: 'How many more times?'". MSNBC.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  44. ^ "'How many more lives?': Reactions to Texas school shooting". Reuters. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  45. ^ "Trudeau: 'My heart breaks' for victims of shooting". CTVNews. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
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