Violence at an elementary school in Texas is the bloodiest in a country notorious for its gun violence.
A mass shooting at a primary school in Texas on Tuesday killed 19 students and two adults. Another 13 children and one adult are being treated for gunshot wounds.
An apparent culprit was killed in a gunfight with police over an emergency.
Here is what we have learned so far about the tragedy.
The deadliest after Sandy Hooks
The number of victims since the 2012 Sandy Hooks Primary School massacre has made it the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. school. The Connecticut tragedy has killed at least 27 people, including gunmen.
The two events occurred almost a decade apart, but there are several parallels between them.
Law enforcement officials are talking together outside Rob Elementary School. Brandon Bell / Getty Images
Uvalade reportedly shot and wounded his grandmother at her home before attacking the Texas criminal children. The first victim of the Sandy Hooks shooter was his mother, whom he killed in his home.
In both cases, the suspects were killed by law enforcement officers.
Pictures of assault rifles have been posted
Police have identified the 18-year-old local resident as Salvador Ramos, apparently responsible for the violence in Uvalade. Investigators believe he acted alone and did not comment on his motives.
Witnesses described Ramos wearing armor and using a handgun and a rifle during the attack on the elementary school. He reportedly crashed his car on his way to school from his grandmother’s house.
The house of the suspected gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, has been cordoned off with police tape. © Jordan Vonderhaar / Getty Images
The gunman reportedly posted pictures of the AR-15-style assault rifle on social media a few days before the shooting. According to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Ramos turned 18 earlier this month and bought two firearms as a birthday present.
Small Latino town
Uvalde is located about 110 km (70 miles) west of San Antonio. It has a population of about 15,000, of which about 80% are identified as Hispanic or Latino, according to the census.
Local media have reported the arrival of new residents in the last few years but have described the community as intimate and deeply saddened by the tragedy.
The shooting took place just two days before the end of the school year.
Officials’ response
Governor Abbott said the entire state is mourning the victims, which he described “Unintentional crime” In Uvalde. He promised to respond to the tragedy and to allocate all necessary resources to the community and to conduct a thorough investigation.
Read more: Biden addressed the school genocide
President Joe Biden has declared national mourning for those killed. He also called on politicians to implement it “Common sense” Gun regulations say they will suppress such violence.
“These types of mass shootings never happen with the kind of frequency that happens in America. Why? ” He said in a speech.
“As a nation we have to ask, when will we stand in the gun lobby in the name of God? When will we do what we all know we need to do in God’s name? ”
