18 elementary school students were shot and killed by an 18-year-old gunman at school

Two adults comfort a crying girl outside the Willie de Leon administrative center, where a memorial service for the victims of the shooting was held – Photo: AFP

Robb Elementary School in the small city of Uvalde, in the southern Texas state of the United States, said the school was locked down at about 11:43 pm on May 24 (ie about 23:43 pm on May 24, Vietnam time) after gunfire. resound in the area.

The suspect, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, also died at the scene, believed to have been knocked down by responders, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.

“He shot 14 students and killed one teacher in a horrible and incomprehensible way,” Abbott said at a news conference.

According to Abbott, the gunman, Ramos, shot his grandmother before indiscriminately opening fire on Robb Elementary School. Two police officers were shot but are unlikely to be in danger.

Governor Abbott confirmed that he had directed state authorities to conduct a full investigation of this crime.

Worried parents gather when they hear the news of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas on May 24 – Photo: REUTERS

Students are escorted to the bus when a shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in Texas on May 24 – Photo: REUTERS

According to Uvalde town police chief Pete Arredondo, it appears the shooter acted alone.

The shooting happened at Robb Elementary School in the city of Uvalde, which is located between San Antonio (Texas’ second largest) and the Mexican border.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin described the shooting as “a very bad situation” and said his office was trying to contact parents before releasing relevant information.

Police on duty near Robb Elementary School in Texas after the shooting on May 24 – Photo: AP

Radio CNN The gunman reportedly drove to Robb Elementary School with an assault rifle and a handgun when he entered the school.

Robb Elementary School teaches more than 500 students, many of them economically disadvantaged, in grades 2 through 4. School leaders have urged parents not to pick up their children until they have counted full. enough students in the school.

According to Radio ABC NewsThis is the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. The incident comes about four years after a gunman shot dead 10 people at Santa Fe High School in the Houston area.

Ted Cruz, a senator from Texas, said on Twitter that he and his wife were “praying for the children and their families during the horrific shooting in the city of Uvalde.”

US police present at the scene of the shooting massacre at Robb Elementary School on May 24 – Photo: REUTERS

Police were densely present around Robb Elementary School on the afternoon of May 24 (local time) after the shooting. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said US President Joe Biden was informed about this shooting, as Air Force One was returning to the US after a long Asia tour. 5 days.

Mr. Biden is scheduled to speak at the White House on the evening of May 24 (local time).

The shooting comes less than a week after a gun attack left 10 people dead in a supermarket in a predominantly black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York.

According to the newspaper Le FigaroPublic shootings occur almost daily in the United States, and gun crime has increased rapidly in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco, especially since the incident. COVID-19 pandemic from 2020.

Updated information from the New York Times reported that at least 19 people have died, including 18 students and 1 teacher.

An ambulance arrives at the scene after the shooting – Photo: REUTERS

Students from Robb Elementary School are taken to health care after the shooting – Photo: REUTERS

A woman bursts into tears while talking on the phone outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic Center, where students from Robb Elementary School were picked up after the shooting – Photo: REUTERS

People sitting on the sidewalk outside Robb Elementary School after the shooting happened – Photo: AFP / Getty Images

The White House flies the flag at half-staff after the shooting – Photo: AP