19 children, 2 adults dead in Texas school shooting

The death toll from a shooting at a Texas elementary school has risen to 12 children and 2 adults, according to authorities.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the numbers to The Associated Press.

Earlier on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott identified the suspected shooter as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, who was believed to have entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, with a handgun, as well as possibly a rifle.

“He shot and killed — horrifically, incomprehensibly — 14 students, and killed a teacher,” Abbott said at the time, adding that the shooter himself “is deceased and is believed that responding officers killed him.”

The reported death toll makes Tuesday’s shooting the deadliest school shooting since the one that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in 2018.

Uvalde Memorial Hospital had said earlier on Facebook shortly before 3 p.m. local time that two individuals had died as part of a group of more than a dozen children taken to a hospital after the shooting at the school, about 85 miles west of San Antonio.

The ages and identities of those who died was not immediately released. 

Uvalde has a population of roughly 15,000 people, over 80 percent of which are Hispanic and roughly 21 percent who live under the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said over Twitter that President Biden had been in contact with Abbott over the shooting.”President Biden just spoke with Governor Abbott to offer any and all assistance he needs in the wake of the horrific shooting in Uvalde, TX,” she tweeted.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had been briefed on the situation. 

The school went into lockdown earlier Tuesday, saying there was an active shooter on the premises. Parents were allowed to pick up their children from a reunification center.

During a brief press conference on Tuesday, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Chief of Police Pete Arredondo said that the shooting took place at approximately 11:32 a.m. at the elementary school, which has students in the second, third and fourth grades.

“I can confirm right now that we have several injuries, adults and students, and we do have some deaths. The suspect is deceased,” Arredondo said, adding more information would be released as the investigation continues.

He also noted that, at this point in the investigation, it appeared the shooter acted alone.

Some Texas lawmakers said they were monitoring the situation.

“Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde. We are in close contact with local officials, but the precise details are still unfolding. Thank you to heroic law enforcement & first responders for acting so swiftly,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted.

“This is a horrific & heartbreaking situation,” Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) tweeted. “Please pray for the students, teachers, families and everyone else involved.”

The development comes just several days before the National Rifle Association (NRA) is set to hold meetings this weekend in Houston beginning Friday, which include guests like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), former President Trump and Abbott. 

The Hill has reached out to Uvalde Police Department for further comment.

Updated: 10:28 p.m.