Authorities have confirmed 21 people are dead—19 students and 2 teachers.
*Updated on May 26 at 1:42 p.m.:
The husband of teacher Irma Garcia has died. Joe Garcia's wife was among the 21 people killed during the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday.
The Garcia's nephew was the first to report Joe's death, tweeting:
EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia has passed away due to grief, i truly am at a loss for words for how we are all feeling, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY, God have mercy on us, this isn’t easy pic.twitter.com/GlUSOutRVV
— john martinez ❤️🔥 (@fuhknjo) May 26, 2022
Joe had just got home after delivering flowers to his wife's memorial. It's believed he suffered a heart attack.
*Updated on May 25 at 11:12 a.m.:
As of Wednesday morning, 21 people are dead—19 students and 2 teachers—following a shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The students were all a part of the same 4th-grade class. While authorities have yet to confirm identities, the families of the victims have on social media:
- Amerie Jo Garza
- Xavier Javier Lopez
- Uziyah Garcia
- Ellie Garcia
- Jaliah Nicole Silguero
- Jayce Carmelo Luevanos
- Tess Marie Mata
- Nevaeh Bravo
- Alexandria Aniyah "Lexi" Rubio
- Makenna Lee Elrod
- Maite Rodriguez
- Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez
- Irma Garcia
- Eva Mireles
Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety said, "The shooter was able to make entry into a classroom, barricaded himself inside that classroom, and again just began shooting numerous children and teachers that were in that classroom, having no regard for human life. Just a complete evil person. Just began shooting anyone that was in his way. At that point we had a tactical law enforcement team arrive—made up of multiple federal officers, local officers, as well as state troopers—that were able to able to make forcible entry into that classroom. They were met with gunfire as well but they were able to shoot and kill that suspect."
*Updated on May 24 at 4:56 p.m.:
The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys have both released statements following the mass shooting:
We are heartbroken by this afternoon’s tragic events in Uvalde as we mourn alongside our neighbors in Texas. To the victims, their families and the entire Uvalde community, you are held close to our hearts today and in the weeks to come.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 24, 2022
The entire Dallas Cowboys organization grieves alongside the community of Uvalde and all of those affected by today’s tragic event. As we mourn the loss of innocent life, our hearts and prayers are with the victims’ families, loved ones, faculty and staff of Robb Elementary.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 24, 2022
*Updated on May 24 at 4:36 p.m.:
The 18-year-old gunman has been identified as Salvador Ramos. He is said to have lived in Uvalde and attended Uvalde High School.
*Updated on May 24 at 4:08 p.m.:
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement:
"I am heartbroken and troubled to learn about today’s tragic event at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, that took the lives of 14 innocent children and one teacher and left dozens of children injured. My deepest condolences go to the families, teachers, and classmates enduring this unspeakable tragedy. In the last two weeks, at least 23 people have lost their lives in mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and now Uvalde, Texas ... How many more children must lose their lives from senseless gun violence?”
*Updated on May 24 at 3:32 p.m.:
Homeland Security has been notified of the shooting in Texas:
.@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
In addition, President Biden has been made aware of the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who tweeted:
President Biden has been briefed on the horrific news of the elementary school shooting in Texas and will continue to be briefed regularly as information becomes available.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) May 24, 2022
*Updated on May 24 at 3:29 p.m.:
The last day of school was to be this Thursday, according to the district's school calendar. In addition, all after-school activities for the district have been canceled:
All district and campus activities, after-school programs, and events are canceled.
— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 24, 2022
Governor Abbott says the gunman entered the school with a handgun and potentially a rifle.
In a statement, Abbott said the following:
"Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde. 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. 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."
*Originally published on May 24 at 3:01 p.m.:
On Tuesday afternoon, a gunman entered Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. At the time of this writing, various reports are indicating that several people were killed. The death toll has not been verified.
However, Abbott says 14 students and 1 teacher were killed, and the shooter, an 18-year-old, was shot and killed by officers. These numbers will likely change as we learn more.
"It's believed that responding officers killed him," Abbott said. "It appears that two responding officers were struck by rounds but have no serious injuries."
#BREAKING: @GovAbbott says the shooter in Uvalde killed 14 students and one teacher using a handgun.
— William Joy (@WilliamJoy) May 24, 2022
He says the shooter, an 18-year-old from Uvalde, was shot and killed by officers.
Two officers were hit but not seriously hurt.
(@wfaa) pic.twitter.com/C0xzNBgdXZ
According to reports, officials at the elementary school said the shooting occurred at 12:30 p.m. off-campus and the gunman ran into school grounds, barricading himself inside and forcing students to be evacuated.
