Update: At least 20 people, including 18 children, have passed away from the shooting.
At least 14 students and one teacher were killed during a shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday afternoon, according to Governor Greg Abbott.
“Uvalde Memorial Hospital had said 15 students were being treated in the hospital’s emergency department in the wake of the incident,” ABC News reported. “University Health in San Antonio said it had two patients from the shooting incident — a child and an adult.”
There were initial reports that the suspect was in someway tied to something at the border, however, those reports do not appear to be accurate.
The Department of Homeland Security said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel had “immediately responded to the scene to provide support, including medical aid.”
.@SecMayorkas has been briefed on the shooting in #Uvalde, Texas. @CBP immediately responded to the scene to provide support, including medical aid. DHS is actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners, and will continue to provide the Department’s full support.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 24, 2022
Abbott identified the suspect as an 18-year-old male. The Daily Wire is not naming the suspect due to company policy about not giving notoriety to mass murderers.
The suspected reportedly murdered his grandmother before he stormed Robb Elementary School, which has an enrollment of nearly 600 students.
The shooting happened in the city of Uvalde, which is approximately 85 miles west of San Antonio and has a population of roughly 16,000 people.
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde,” Abbott said. “Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering.”
“We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School,” he continued. “I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is charged with providing local officials all resources necessary to respond to this tragedy as the State of Texas works to ensure the community has what it needs to heal.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who represents the district where the tragedy occurred, responded by saying that he was “heartbroken” by the day’s events.
“It is devastating when our innocent children become the victims of senseless violence. We are devastated,” he wrote. “While we monitor this situation, we remember that Uvalde, while rocked by today’s events, is strong and resilient. In this time of trepidation, our office is always here to do whatever we can to help. We are family and we will continue to be here for each other.”
While we monitor this situation, we remember that Uvalde, while rocked by today’s events, is strong and resilient. In this time of trepidation, our office is always here to do whatever we can to help. We are family and we will continue to be here for each other.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) May 24, 2022
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.