19 children are among the dead in mass Texas school shooting

The attack marks the 27th mass school shooting in the US this year.

Texas school shooting: A group embrace outside Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, US, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. President Joe Biden mourned the killing of at least 19 children and two teachers in a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, decrying their deaths as senseless and demanding action to try to curb the violence. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Image credit: BRANDON BELL)

The attack marks the 27th mass school shooting in the US this year.

Nineteen primary school children and two adult teachers have been shot and killed at a Texas school shooting.

The gunman - believed to be an 18-year-old student from Uvalde High School - opened fire at Robb Elementary School, Ulvade, just before lunchtime yesterday.

Officials say was killed by law enforcement shortly after the shooting began. Assosicated Press report that the US Border Patrol officer happened to be close by when the shooting began, taking out the shooter.

The school teaches young children from the ages of seven to 10 years old and the incident marks the worst shooting since the Sandy Hook massacre of 2013. 

Texas School Shooting:A woman embraces two children outside Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, US, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. President Joe Biden mourned the killing of at least 19 children and two teachers in a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, decrying their deaths as senseless and demanding action to try to curb the violence. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

It's thought that the shooter took three weapons - a handgun, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and high-capacity magazines - to the site.

It's also believed that he shot his grandmother before embarking on the killing spree.

Pete Arredondo, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Chief of Police, reported that the gunman opened fire at 11:32am local time on Tuesday. At this point, they believe that he "did act alone during this heinous crime."

Greg Abbott, a Texas Governor, named the shooter as a Salvador Ramos and detailed how he abandoned his vehicle to "horrifically, incomprehensibly" start shooting.

Only two child victims have been identified so far, with many families still waiting to hear if their little ones are alive. US media confirmed the deaths of Xavier Lopez and Amerie Jo Garza, both ten years old, in statements from the families last night.

Texas school shooting: Mass Shooting At Elementary School In Uvalde, Texas Leaves 21 Dead Including Shooter

Amerie's dad, Angel Garza, shared on Facebook that his daughter had passed away.

"My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don't take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them," he shared.

One of the two adults killed in the attack was Eva Mireles, a teacher at the school. According to the school website, she was a keen hiker and runner. Her own daughter is in college.

It's thought that thirteen children are currently at The Uvalde Memorial Hospital.

Further, a 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl are believed to be in a critical condition.

Speaking on the travesty from the White House, US President Joe Biden asked: "Why do we keep letting this happen? Why are we willing to live with this carnage?"

Texas school shooting: US President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Biden mourned the killing of at least 18 children and one teacher in a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, decrying their deaths as senseless and demanding action to try to curb the violence. Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg

He went on to add that he was "sick and tired" of having to address mass shootings and personally called for more gun control.

"How many scores of little children who witnessed what happened - see their friends die, as if they're in a battlefield, for God's sake? They'll live with it the rest of their lives."

Nearby the school, vigils began forming last night with victims and survivors sharing their grief.

A local Karla Bohman spoke of the pain and anguish the community is currently facing, many not knowing if their children are safe.

Texas school shooting: Local residents pray and hold hands

"They don't know if she's in surgery or one of the fatalities, but they know she's a victim of some sort because she's missing," she cried. "I can't believe this."

Cheryl Juhasz, a Uvalde resident, added: "You can't comprehend evil like this. No matter where it happens, but it's harder when it happens at home."

The Texas school shooting is the 27th mass school shooting to take place in America this year and comes just ten days after a fatal mass shooting in New York.

Our thoughts are with the families and community at this time.

Ally Head
Senior Health, Sustainability and Relationships Editor

Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health, Sustainability, and Relationships Editor, nine-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read health and wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She's won a BSME for her sustainability work, regularly hosts panels and presents for events like the Sustainability Awards, and saw nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw. Follow Ally on Instagram for more or get in touch.