May 25

May 25 Nineteen Children and Two Teachers Killed in Robb Elementary Shooting

At least 19 children and 2 teachers have died at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas after a gunman opened fire and barricaded himself inside a classroom.

According to varying 911 calls made to law enforcement, the shooting began around 11:20 a.m. The shooter has been identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a student at Uvalde High School. Prior to the attack, he shot his grandmother. Early reports stated she had died, but she was found to be in critical condition.

Callers say that he was seen exiting a truck carrying a rifle, a backpack, and wearing body armor. The gunman made his way into the school, and began shooting at “anyone who was in his way” according to an official with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

According to the Associated Press, all of the deceased victims were in the same fourth-grade classroom. U.S. Border Patrol Agents were some of the first to respond, exchanging gunfire with the shooter. It is believed that a border patrol agent killed Ramos.

According to a Facebook post made by Uvalde Memorial Hospital, 13 children arrived via ambulance or buses for treatment. Two children were transferred to San Antonio to receive further treatment. Two adults were dead on arrival. Three people remain in serious condition.

Many teachers and students were evacuated to the town’s civic center where they could reunite with their parents. Many parents waited hours in the silence waiting to hear what happened to their children. Silence was broken with the wails and screams of parents who learned their children died.

District superintendent Hal Harrell said that Robb Elementary School will be closed and all activities canceled until further notice. Grief counselors as well as school counselors will be available for those grieving Wednesday.

Amongst other calls for action, President Joe Biden called for new gun restrictions in a speech in the hours after the massacre.