LIVE UPDATES: 19 Children and 2 Teachers Killed in Texas Elementary School Shooting

At least 19 children and two teachers were killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

The students who were killed were in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, according to Uvalde CISD police chief Pete Arredondo. 

The 18-year-old suspect, a student at Uvalde High School, is also dead, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

“It's believed that he abandoned his vehicle and entered into the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde with a handgun and he may have also had a rifle, but that is not yet confirmed according to my most recent report,” Abbot said.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House Tuesday night, opening his remarks with:

"I had hoped, when I became president, I would not have to do this, again."

Biden called on the nation to pray for the victims and "stand up to the gun lobby" in the wake of today's events.

"So tonight, I ask the nation to pray for them, to give the parents and siblings the strength in the darkness they feel now. As a nation, we have to ask when in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? When in God's name will we do what we all know in our gut needs to be done?"

President Joe Biden will speak at the White House at around 8:15pm Eastern shortly after returning from a trip to Asia. 

Today's shooting marks at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022.

GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina warned Democrats against having a “reflexive reaction” by trying to pass laws that would impinge on Second Amendment rights, saying he is confident there were “signs” the 18-year-old shooter was “at risk.”

Asked if anything involving guns could be part of the solution to mass shootings, Tillis said:

"No.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) reacted to the Robb Elementary shooting by saying arming teachers and administrators could prevent similar massacres.

"Because first responders typically can't get there in time to prevent a shooting," Paxton said.

President Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in the U.S. and abroad “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence":

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the school shooting in Texas and will address the nation at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Gov. Abbott released the following statement on the fatal school shooting:

“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde. Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering. We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School. I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is charged with providing local officials all resources necessary to respond to this tragedy as the State of Texas works to ensure the community has what it needs to heal.”

Abbot, former President Donald Trump, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas are scheduled to speak at the NRA's annual meeting in Houston on Friday.

Tony Gonzales (R), who represents the district where the shooting took place, has been a staunch supporter of gun ownership rights:

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement following the shooting:

“I am heartbroken and troubled to learn about today’s tragic event at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, that took the lives of 14 innocent children and one teacher and left dozens of children injured.

“My deepest condolences go to the families, teachers, and classmates enduring this unspeakable tragedy.

“In the last two weeks, at least 23 people have lost their lives in mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and now Uvalde, Texas. Congress must act, and governors and state legislators must pass reasonable gun control legislation. The voters must demand it from their representatives.

“How many more children must lose their lives from senseless gun violence?”

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

-Josh Herman

(Photo: William Luther)