Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed at least 19 children and two adults died in a massive shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
President Biden called it a "carnage," asking lawmakers to act.
The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, after 11:30 AM, and is another in a series of mass shootings following the Buffalo shooting, where ten people lost their lives.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talked to the media, saying:
"When parents drop their kids off at school, they have every expectation to know that they're going to be able to pick their child up when that school day ends. And some families are in mourning right now."
He added that the state is mourning with the parents "for the reality that these parents are not going to be able to pick up their children."
Children murdered in Uvalde, 90 minutes from San Antonio, were primarily in the third and fourth grades.
One of the victims was Amerie jo Garza. Her dad confirmed that she celebrated her 10th birthday only weeks ago.
The heartbroken dad Angelo wrote to ABC News:
"My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don't take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you, Amerie jo."
The suspect is Salvador Ramos, 18. He was a student at Uvalde High School and was shot by the police. Abbott stated that Ramos "shot and killed horrifically and incomprehensibly."
The suspect first shot his grandmother in the face. She is still alive but in critical conditions, numerous reports stated. He then crashed his car, took out his AR-15-style rifle, and entered the school property.
Ramos bought two AR-style rifles, one a day after turning 18, on May 17, and the second four days before the shooting, on May 20.
Initial reports suggested that Ramos wore body armor, but it was a tactical gear, where he held ammunition.
The latest reports suggest that the shooter exchanged messages on Facebook, telling a teen from Germany about his murderous plans.
How A School Turned Into A Battlefield
The police officer stopped the shooter as he was entering the school property. According to reports, he shot the police officer, entered the school, and barricaded himself in a classroom with third-graders and fourth-graders.
He spent roughly an hour inside the school.
From his position, the shooter traded gunfire with Uvalde ISD officer and Border Patrol Tactical Unit agents. Many of those involved in stopping the shooter had their children in the school at the time of the shooting.
Investigators are determining who shot Ramos.
One student from the fourth grade described to ABC what happened. He said the students heard banging on a window, and then the teacher noticed the shooter.
"She said, 'Oh, my God, there's a there's a gun.' And then she said it was like a big one like that, a big gun -- she said, hurry up and get on the floor. We just hear all kinds of gunshots going off, like nonstop, like constantly gunshots. And then we're over here all scared. What -- on the ground fearing for our lives."
ABC learned that the shooter posted numerous videos and photos on social media, showing off his newly bought guns.
The Victims Of A Senseless Act
At least two officers were injured during the shooting, as was one of the Border Patrol agents. They are recovering, according to reports.
Uvalde Memorial Hospital took 13 students, but two lost their lives. Three were transported to San Antonio, and their conditions are unknown to the public.
Another person, 45 years old, is hospitalized.
University Health in San Antonio stated they received four victims of the shooting, three students and a woman, 66. The woman and a girl, 10, are in critical condition.
Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio is treating two adults in critical condition.
So far, 19 children and two female teachers have been shot dead by the suspect.
Heartbroken Community
The school has students in their second, third, and fourth grades. The parents started getting notifications around 2 PM once they were transferred to Sgt. Willie Deleon Civic Center, the reunification site.
Anxious parents gathered as one dad, Ryan Ramirez, told KSAT:
"[I'm] just confused and worried. I'm trying to find out where my baby's at."
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been briefed on the situation. The spokesperson that the agency "is actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners."
Customs and Border Protection officials in the area also responded to the scene.
The National Counterterrorism Operations Center believes there is "no known terrorism nexus" at this point.
Biden Will Visit Texas In The Following Days
President Biden will visit the site soon and will meet the grieving families.
Parents feel hopeless after yet another senseless shooting involving a teenager with guns.
Two funeral homes in Uvalde will cover the cost of funerals for those killed during the Robb Elementary School shooting. Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) set up a memorial fund for donations.
People are discussing gun control laws online and offline, as there are clear indications of mass shootings increasing in the USA.
The officials claim that those who passed away were identified, and their families were notified.
Our condolences go to all those who lost beloved children, siblings, and classmates on Tuesday.
