A Texas senator stated that the death toll due to the shooting at a Texas elementary school was now 18 children and three adults.
Roland Gutierrez, Sen., stated that he was briefed in detail by the state police about the latest fatalities at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde. This is a heavily Latino community located 85 miles (135 km) west of San Antonio.
Gutierrez said that three people were injured in the attack and are currently in serious condition.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is the original story by AP.
UVALDE (Texas) -- A gunman aged 18 opened fire at a Texas elementary school Tuesday, wounding at least 14 students and a teacher, Gov. Greg Abbott stated that the gunman had been killed.
This was the most serious shooting at a U.S. school since 20 children and six adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown Connecticut almost a decade earlier. It happened just 10 days after a gunman wearing body armor shot and killed 10 Black workers and shoppers at a Buffalo supermarket, New York. Authorities claim it was a racist attack.
According to federal law enforcement officials, the death toll is expected to rise. Because they weren't authorized to disclose investigative details, they spoke under the condition of anonymity.
Abbott stated that the gunman entered Robb Elementary school in Uvalde carrying a handgun, and possibly a rifle. Officials didn't immediately disclose a motive but Abbott identified the attacker as Salvador Ramos, a resident of the heavily Latino community located 85 miles (135 km) west of San Antonio.
According to law enforcement officials speaking under condition of anonymity, a Border Patrol agent was near the scene when the shooting started. He shot and killed the gunman behind a barricade and rushed into school to kill the gunman.
According to a law enforcement source, although the agent sustained injuries, he was able walk out of school.
Abbott stated that the shooter was most likely killed by police officers, but that further investigation is ongoing. Pete Arredondo (the chief of police for the school district) said that the attacker was acting alone.
