19 students dead, 2 adults killed after Uvalde elementary school shooting
UVALDE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — The death toll in the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School has risen.
According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement. Two law enforcement officers were also shot, but survived.
The shooting happened shortly before noon at the school, which has an enrollment of just under 600 students, grades 2nd - 4th.
CBS News confirmed the 18-year-old suspect had a handgun and an assault rifle with him during the attack. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the suspect was a senior at a nearby high school and shot his 66-year-old grandmother sometime before entering the elementary school.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene to CBS News of arriving parents pulling 2nd and 3rd graders from school windows to safety. One woman told CBS 11 News she was frantically searching for her young niece.
"We haven't gotten any answers as to where she is... none."
The district said that the city's civic center was used as a reunification center and that parents could pick up their children there once everyone was accounted for.
The Uvalde Memorial Hospital previously shared on Facebook that 13 children were transported there for treatment. Their post also said two patients were deceased.
A second hospital, University Hospital, tweeted shortly after the shooting, "We have received two patients from the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, one child and one adult. They are currently being evaluated so we don't have a condition to release at this time."
Later in the day, Grand Prairie ISD tweeted out their support for the victims, saying, "Our hearts are with the families and community of Uvalde, Texas and @Uvalde_CISD. As a precaution, there will be an increased police presence at all of our elementary and secondary campuses for the remaining two days of school."
The Arlington Police Department also expressed their condolences, saying, "Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by the tragic events unfolding in Uvalde. Sending our love to our brothers and sisters at the Uvalde Police Department, all of the other first responders who answered this call, and all those who will be investigating this case in the days / weeks to come."
"Our hearts are with the devastated community of Uvalde, Texas in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy. You are in our thoughts and prayers," the Fort Worth Police Department shared on Facebook.
CBS 11 News spoke to Texas School Safety Center Director Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, who said the shooting was another senseless act of violence.
"Ending the school year like this is extremely heartbreaking and our hearts and prayers go out to that entire community and the parents that lost their loved ones today," said Dr. Martinez-Prather.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined other state officials in condemning the shooting. He sent CBS 11 the following statement, which read in part: "This is an excruciatingly difficult time for the tight-knit Uvalde community and for all Texans as we mourn this terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to those in the hospital receiving care and to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. As a parent, the pain they must be feeling is unimaginable."
Beto O'Rourke tweeted: "Our broken hearts are with Uvalde."
Adding to the conversation, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said, "Today is a dark day. We're all completely sickened and heartbroken. As of now, 15 innocent people are dead. Fourteen were children. Others are still in critical condition or otherwise injured, and we are all praying for each of them. I'm grateful for the heroes in law enforcement and first responders who responded to the scene and stopped the killer."
Retiring U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson tweeted, "My heart is breaking for the Uvalde community. These are our children. We are failing them."
And it wasn't only politicians and police departments making statements about the mass shooting. Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr gave an impassioned plea in a video tweeted before Tuesday night's NBA finals.
The Dallas Cowboys offered prayers for all those impacted, sharing: "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."
Uvalde is now one of the nation's deadliest elementary school shootings, a decade after 20 children and six staff members were killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 in Connecticut.
Gov. Abbott and President Biden have ordered flags at half-staff in honor of the victims.
"I'd hoped when I became president that I wouldn't have to do this," President Biden said during a press conference.
Thursday was supposed to be the last day of school at Robb Elementary before summer break.
