UVALDE, Texas – A gunman killed at least 19 children at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, according to local authorities.
Initial reports said that 14 children and a teacher were killed in the shooting. Via The Associated Press, the number now totals 18 children and three adults, according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he was briefed by state police on the fatalities (although it was not immediately clear whether that number included the assailant).
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Tuesday that the shooter walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde around noon Central time and opened fire with a handgun. The shooter was killed by responding authorities, per Abbott.
The suspect allegedly also shot his grandmother before entering the school and again opening fire. Abbott added that the shooter had a handgun, and possibly a rifle.
“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 there are families who are in mourning right now,” Abbott said. “The state of Texas is in mourning with them for the reality that these parents are not going to be able to pick up their children.”
Two responding police officers were among those injured, Abbott said before adding the two are expected to survive.
Uvalde, a city of an estimated 16,000 population, is about 80 miles west of San Antonio.