UVALDE, Texas – An 18-year-old man killed 19 students and one teacher at Robb Elementary in Uvalde in what is now Texas’ deadliest mass school shooting, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The shooter — identified as Salvador Ramos, 18 — was killed by law enforcement officers.
Sgt. Erick Estrada with DPS told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that law enforcement was initially called to two scenes.
Estrada said the first scene involved the suspect’s grandmother, who Ramos shot at her home. EMS then airlifted her to a local hospital. It’s unclear if she is still alive.
Officers were also called to a crashed truck in a ditch near Robb Elementary after witnesses saw Ramos walking away from the vehicle holding a long rifle and wearing body armor.
“There was several law enforcement that engaged the suspect, but he was able to make entry into the school, where he did go into several classrooms,” Estrada told Cooper on Tuesday evening.
Officials said Ramos then started making his way through classrooms, where he opened fire and killed 19 students and one teacher. The students were mainly third and fourth graders, sources told ABC.
Estrada said another tactical law enforcement agency went inside the school and brought down the suspect, killing him.
One of the victims identified in the mass shooting was Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary.
Mireles’ aunt, Lydia Martinez Delgado, issued the following statement:
“My niece, Eva Mireles, approximately 17 yr teacher for UCISD along with another teacher and 18 children lost her lives to a senseless tragic shooting. I’m furious that these shooting continue, these children are innocent, rifles should not be easily available to all. This is a my hometown a small community of less then 20,000. I never imagined this would happen to especially to loved ones. not all the facts have been released yet all we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools and especially the families of all.”
University Hospital in San Antonio received four patients from the shooting including a 66-year-old woman who is in critical condition, a nine-year-old girl in fair condition, a 10-year-old girl in critical condition and a 10-year-old girl who is in good condition.
Two law enforcement officers were shot but are expected to be OK, Gov. Greg Abbott said. One of the officers was a Border Patrol agent, the Associated Press reported.
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde,” Abbott said. “Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering. We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School. I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is charged with providing local officials all resources necessary to respond to this tragedy as the State of Texas works to ensure the community has what it needs to heal.”
During a news conference, Uvalde CISD Superintendent Hal Harrell said grief counseling would be available for students, staff, parents and community members starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the civic center.
“My heart is broken today,” Harrell told members of the media.
Harrell said the school year is done for the year, and all district activities are canceled. He said the district would release more information about graduations at a later date.
WATCH: Officials hold news conference to give update on Uvalde school shooting
The San Antonio Police Department sent resources to the school and is standing by to assist as further needed, Police Chief William McManus said.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the county was also sending help to the grief-stricken community.
“It is with profound grief and broken hearts that we learn about the news coming our way this afternoon. We stand united with the community in Uvalde and offer our assistance. We also mourn with them over the lives of those children and adults lost to violence. Bexar County is sending personnel and material from the Office of Emergency Management, the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, and University Hospital to support the ongoing operation,” Wolff said.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city is also sending help to Uvalde and offered his condolences.
“Uvalde is experiencing the sickening aftermath of a horrific mass shooting. At least 14 children and a teacher are gone. Pray for the lost, their families, and Uvalde. San Antonio has sent mass casualty resources to the region and will do all we can to help our neighbors heal,” he said..
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
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