Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated Wednesday that the gunman who opened hearth at an elementary faculty in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 youngsters and two academics, posted on Fb simply earlier than the taking pictures that he was going to assault a college. The gunman, recognized as an 18-year-old man from the world, was killed by legislation enforcement, police stated.
Abbott stated the gunman posted three messages on Fb earlier than the assault: as soon as, about half-hour earlier than the college taking pictures, to say he was going to shoot his grandmother, as soon as to say he had shot his grandmother, and a 3rd time — roughly quarter-hour earlier than the taking pictures — to say he was going to open hearth at an elementary faculty.
Fb said the posts “have been non-public one-to-one textual content messages that have been found after the horrible tragedy occurred,” and that the corporate is “carefully cooperating with legislation enforcement.”
Authorities stated the gunman shot his 66-year-old grandmother within the face earlier than the college taking pictures. She contacted police and the suspect fled, later crashing his automobile a couple of block from the college.
District cops engaged the gunman when he arrived on the faculty, however the shooter was capable of enter a again door, journey down two quick hallways and enter a classroom, which was related internally to a different classroom, Abbott stated.
The gunman then barricaded himself within the classroom, Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Division Public Security instructed “CBS Mornings.”
“At that time, [he] simply began taking pictures youngsters and academics that have been inside that classroom, having no regard for human life,” Olivarez stated. “Only a full tragedy. An evil individual going into the college and killing youngsters for no cause in anyway.”
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The suspect had a handgun, AR-15 assault weapon and high-capacity magazines, two legislation enforcement sources confirmed to CBS Information’ Pat Milton. Abbott stated Wednesday that the shooter used an AR-15 to hold out the taking pictures.
Olivarez stated the officers who first responded to the scene “have been at a degree of drawback” and weren’t capable of make entry.
“There was no manner they have been capable of make entry, particularly with the quantity of manpower that was on scene,” he stated. “So at that time, their main focus was to evacuate as many youngsters as attainable.”
A specialised tactical unit product of native, state and federal legislation enforcement officers have been finally capable of enter the classroom, Olivarez stated. Three officers have been injured, and all are in good situation, Abbott stated.
Abbott on Wednesday heralded the “superb braveness” of legislation enforcement, for “working towards gunfire for the singular objective of attempting to save lots of lives.”
He famous that one sheriff’s deputy misplaced a daughter within the taking pictures.
“Evil swept throughout Uvalde yesterday,” Abbott stated. “Days earlier than yesterday, when these youngsters have been in class, some have been receiving awards for good attendance — these children won’t ever attend faculty once more.”
Abbott stated 17 different folks sustained non-life threatening accidents within the taking pictures.
Abbott on Tuesday recognized the gunman as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. On Wednesday, Abbott stated the gunman was reportedly a highschool dropout with no legal historical past and no documented psychological well being considerations. Abbott stated there was “no significant forewarning,” aside from the Fb messages.
Two legislation enforcement officers instructed CBS Information that the gunman received right into a battle along with his grandmother on Tuesday morning earlier than the taking pictures. Preliminary info suggests the battle was over who would pay a cellphone invoice. Officers harassed that the knowledge is preliminary and they’re investigating it additional.
The assault was the deadliest mass taking pictures at an elementary faculty since a gunman killed 26 folks, together with 20 first-graders, at Sandy Hook Elementary College in 2012. Many, together with President Biden, invoked Sandy Hook and the many mass shootings which have adopted to name for stronger gun legal guidelines.
“As a nation, we’ve to ask, when in God’s title are we going to face as much as the gun foyer?” Mr. Biden stated in an deal with from the White Home Tuesday night time. “When in God’s title will we do what everyone knows in our intestine must be performed?”
