‘Unspeakable tragedy.’ North Texas leaders respond to Uvalde elementary school shooting
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Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting
A gunman killed at least 20 people — 19 students and a teacher — at an elementary school in Uvalde on Tuesday and also killed his grandmother, according to Texas officials. The gunman is dead as well.
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Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker called Tuesday’s shooting at a Uvalde elementary school an “unspeakable tragedy” as North Texas leaders react to the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.
According to the Associated Press, as of Tuesday night, 19 children and two adults were dead after the shooting at Robb Elementary School. Others were injured.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooter likely was killed by responding law enforcement. A Border Patrol agent who was nearby when the shooting began rushed into the school without waiting for backup and shot and killed the gunman, who was behind a barricade, a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity told the AP.
Uvalde is about an hour and a half drive west of San Antonio.
In a statement, Abbott said he and his wife, Cecilia, are mourning the horrific loss caused by the shooting.
“We urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all those who are suffering,” he said.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a tweet that he’s heartsick for fellow Texans in Uvalde.
“I am struggling to wrap my mind around this horrendous and senseless violence,” he said. “This is a nightmare.”
Parker called the shooting horrific and asked people to join her in praying for the Uvalde community.
Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley said called the incident a senseless and heartbreaking tragedy.
“Keeping those in Uvalde close to our hearts and in our prayers,” he said.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said flags will be lowered to half staff at Dallas County buildings and said change needs to be made.
“This state and nation must find the courage and wisdom to come together to protect our children and the public,” he said.
White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook said in a tweet that the level of violence in the country is sickening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, including our local, state and federal law enforcement partners dealing with this horrific incident,” he said.
Multiple North Texas police departments have said they’re sending thoughts and prayers to the victims in Uvalde.
Fort Worth school trustees held a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting during their board meeting Tuesday, led by board president Tobi Jackson.
“We believe it’s appropriate to observe a moment of silence for the victims, for their families and for the educators whose lives have been shattered by this horrific event from today and here forward,” Jackson said.
Trustee Roxanne Martinez said she feels sick over the incident.
“This shouldn’t happen at any school,” she said. “Our schools should be safe spaces.”
Trustee Camille Rodriguez echoed Martinez’s sentiments, saying no student or teacher should ever feel unsafe.
“I hope that adults will work together to prevent these senseless tragedies,” she said.
This story was originally published May 24, 2022 at 5:44 PM.
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