Multiple government officials from the State of Texas reacted to Tuesday's school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left at least 19 children and two adults dead.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) held a press conference Tuesday afternoon confirming the number of deaths known at the time while offering his condolences. As the victim death toll increased into the evening, the massacre is now the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.
"What happened in Uvalde is a horrific tragedy that cannot be tolerated in the State of Texas," Abbott said. "There are families in mourning right now and the State of Texas is in mourning with them."
GOV. GREG ABBOTT
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Abbott also released a formal press release on Twitter.
SENATORS TED CRUZ AND JOHN CORNYN
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) both offered their condolences to the victims of Tuesday's mass shooting.
"Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde," Cruz said.
"No parent, child, or teacher should ever have to wonder whether it’s safe to go to school," Cornyn wrote on Twitter. "This is an excruciatingly painful time for the tight-knit Uvalde community and for all Texans."
CANDIDATE BETO O'ROURKE
Former Congressman and Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke also tweeted a statement.
"Our broken hearts are with Uvalde," O'Rourke said.
MAYORS OF DALLAS, FORT WORTH
The mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth, Eric Johnson and Mattie Parker offered their condolences.
"I am absolutely heartsick for my fellow Texans in Uvalde. I am struggling to wrap my mind around this horrendous and senseless violence," Mayor Johnson said. "This is a nightmare. These are CHILDREN. May God rest these young souls."
"Unspeakable tragedy unfolding in Uvalde, Texas with 14 students and 1 teacher dead in a horrific shooting," Mayor Parker said. "Please join me in praying for this entire community, these families and those killed today."
U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MIGUEL CARDONA
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today issued the following statement in response to the tragic events at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas:
“My heart is aching for all the families in Uvalde, Texas who are living through every parent’s greatest fear and worst nightmare: a shooting in their children’s school. As a parent, I am filled with grief for the families and students; concern that as our schools move past pandemic closures, the fear of shootings has become all too real once again; and anger at the lack of will by many to pass legislation that can protect our children. I pray our nation has not grown numb to the horrors that unfolded today at Robb Elementary School, when the lives of 18 precious children and a devoted educator were cut short. How many more lives must be lost before we realize that we, the people, and those we elect, have the power and the opportunity to ensure this never happens again? My team at the Department of Education is offering every available federal resource—including through our Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) program and on-the-ground support—to help the families, educators, staff, and greater Robb Elementary School community recover from this trauma and loss. I spent the formative part of my career in a Connecticut elementary school. I will never forget the ripple effect of fear and heartbreak that spread among students and teachers in the aftermath of the horrific Sandy Hook shooting. We must unite as a country against this senseless cycle of violence, act immediately to protect our children, and make sure that every child and every educator feels safe in our schools.”
UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING
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