Eighteen children and 1 teachers were fatally shot by an 18-year-old male at an elementary school in Texas on May 24, Gov. Greg Abbott said.
The male, identified as Salvadore Romas, 18, drove to Robb Elementary School and opened fire, the governor told 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 deceased.
“It’s believed that responding officers killed him,” Abbott said.
Two officers were wounded during the confrontation but did not suffer serious wounds.
Authorities are launching an investigation into Romas, including trying to figure out his 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.
