Eighteen school children and two teachers have been murdered by an 18-year-old male at a Texas elementary school.
NOTE: The numbers have been updated since this story was first published.
The announcement was made by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Salvadore Romas has been identified as the shooter. Authorities believe he drove to Robb Elementary School after killing his grandmother then opened fire, the governor said in a briefing.
“He shot and killed—horrifically, incomprehensively—14 students, and killed a teacher,” Abbott said.
Romas was armed with a handgun and may have had a rifle.
Romas is dead and Abbot stated, “It’s believed that responding officers killed him.”
Two officers were wounded during the confrontation but did not suffer serious wounds.
Authorities are launching an investigation into Romas, including a motive, the weapons he used, and how he obtained them.
Uvalde officials are investigating with support from state officials.
Uvalde Memorial Hospital, a local facility, had said earlier it received 13 children via ambulance or buses for treatment and that two individuals that arrived were deceased, while another two were transferred to San Antonio.
University Health, a hospital in San Antonio, said it was caring for two patients. One, a 66-year-old woman, was in critical condition. The other, a 10-year-old girl, was also in critical condition.
Uvalde’s school district reported at 12:17 p.m. local time that an active shooter was detected at the elementary school. Police later reported taking the shooter into custody.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who represents the area, said he spoke with Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin.
“I will continue to speak with local officials to make sure the Uvalde community has all resources necessary in the wake of today’s events,” Gonzales said in a statement.
Uvalde, with a population of about 16,000, is about 60 miles east of the U.S.–Mexico border. It sits about 83 miles west of San Antonio.
–Wire services