Texas School Shooting: Man kills 19 kids, 2 teachers

A teenage shooter opened fire killing killed at least 19 children and two adults in a rural Texas elementary school, in the deadliest American school shooting since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary a decade ago.

A teenage gunman killed 18 students and two adults at an elementary school in Texas on Tuesday. Credit: Reuters Photo

The massacre took place just before noon at Robb Elementary School, where second through fourth-graders in Uvalde, a small city west of San Antonio, were preparing to start summer break this week. Credit: AFP Photo

Reportedly, two teachers were killed, and several other children were wounded. Credit: Reuters Photo

The gunman, whom the authorities identified as an 18-year-old man who had attended a nearby high school, was armed with several weapons, officials said. Credit: Reuters Photo

“He shot and killed horrifically, incomprehensibly,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news conference. Credit: Reuters Photo

As terrified parents in Uvalde waited for word of their children’s safety and law enforcement officials raced to piece together how the attack had transpired, the mass shooting was deepening national political debate over gun laws and the prevalence of weapons. Credit: AFP Photo

Two women hug outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas. Credit: AFP Photo

People get emotional as they wait outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center, where students had been transported from Robb Elementary School after a shooting, in Uvalde, Texas. Credit: Reuters Photo

Across the street from the school, state troopers were scattered across the school lawn and an ambulance idled with its lights flashing. Credit: Reuters Photo

In a brief address from the White House, President Joe Biden became emotional as he reflected on the attack and called for action, but did not advocate for a particular policy or vote. “It’s just sick,” he said of the sorts of weapons that are easily available in the United States and used in mass shootings. “Where in God’s name is our backbone, the courage to do more and then stand up to the lobbies? It’s time to turn this pain into action,” said Biden. Credit: AFP Photo