An 18-year-old opened fire at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 21 people, including 19 kids and two teachers, on Tuesday.
The shooter, Salvador Ramos, allegedly shot his grandmother before heading to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde around 11:32 a.m., according to officials.
On Wednesday, authorities reported that Ramos barricaded himself inside a single classroom and “began shooting anyone that was in his way”.
Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety said on NBC’s “Today” show that law enforcement broke windows at the school to allow students and teachers to escape.
Ramos had allegedly hinted on social media that he was planning an attack, suggesting that “kids should watch out,” according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez.
Ramos legally bought two AR-style rifles days before the attack, following his 18th birthday, and appeared to share photos of them on Instagram.
One of Ramos’ friends, Santos Valdez Jr., 18, said they had been close until Ramos’ behavior changed.
Valdez Jr. told the Washington Post that Ramos once showed up at a park with scratch marks across his face, eventually admitting to cutting himself with knives.
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.
This shooting is one of the worst in the U.S.’s history, following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012 and Virginia Tech in 2007.
Two teachers identified as Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia were killed along with students, including Rojelio Torres, Amerie Jo Garza, Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, Nevaeh Bravo and Uziyah Garcia.
At least another 15 children, two adults, and two officers who responded to the shooting were injured during the chaos, according to reports.
