Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau speak on the Texas school shooting that killed 19 children, 2 adults

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This article was published 24/05/2022 (983 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire on a south Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children and two adults, officials say. The shooter died on scene.

The attack at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas is the deadliest shooting at a U.S. grade school since Sandy Hook.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott identified the shooter as Salvador Ramos, a local of Uvalde. He said one of the adult victims as a teacher.

An anonymous law enforcement source claims a Border Patrol agent rushed into the school and, without waiting for backup, shot and killed the gunman. The agent was wounded but survived.

President Joe Biden commented on the tragedy in an late night address: “When in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?” he said. “When in God’s name are we going to do what needs to be done?”

He didn’t detail any plans for new legislation.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke out on Twitter, saying his “heart breaks for everyone affected by the horrific shooting in Texas today … Canadians are mourning with you, and are here for you.”

In a pre-game press conference, Golden State Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr made an passionate plea for gun control.

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris said: “We must have the courage to take action and prevent this from ever happening again.”

On Twitter, users are expressing their grief, their disbelief and their anger.

Other users tried to help, compiling lists of the children still missing from Robb Elementary school.

The shooting renewed talks of gun control and the U.S.’s history of gun violence. Just ten days ago, a shooter killed ten Black shoppers at a Buffalo, N.Y. grocery store.

—With files from the Associated Press

Kevin Jiang is a Toronto-based digital producer for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @crudelykevin