UVALDE, Texas — Eighteen students and one adult were killed during an active shooter incident at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Tuesday, officials said.
“He shot and killed horrifically and incomprehensibly [18] students and killed a teacher,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press conference.
The age range of the victims is not yet known. Robb Elementary is a grades 2-through-4 school.
It is believed the suspect, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was killed by police. He acted alone, police said.
Abbot said Ramos also shot his grandmother. The conditions or exact number of those wounded were not immediately known.
Abbott also said the suspect was armed with a handgun and ‘possibly a rifle.’ CNN reports Ramos bought two rifles on his 18th birthday.
The Uvalde Memorial Hospital said “several” students were transported to its emergency room.
Update on the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde: at University Hospital, one patient, a 66-year-old woman, is in critical condition.
We do not yet have a condition to report on the child.
— University Health (@UnivHealthSA) May 24, 2022
There is an active shooter at Robb Elementary. Law enforcement is on site. Your cooperation is needed at this time by not visiting the campus. As soon as more information is gathered it will be shared.
The rest of the district is under a Secure Status.
— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 24, 2022
SAPD has sent resources to an active shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde and is standing by to assist as further needed.
— Chief Bill McManus (@Chief_McManus) May 24, 2022
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House says.
“President Biden has been briefed on the horrific news of the elementary school shooting in Texas,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “His prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event, and he will speak this evening when he arrives back at the White House.”
Uvalde is 85 miles west of San Antonio.
