At least 21 people are dead after a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, officials said Tuesday afternoon.
Here’s what leaders are saying about the horrific massacre.
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Former President Barack Obama:
Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies—and in the back of...
Posted by Barack Obama on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott:
Texans are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime & for the community of Uvalde.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 24, 2022
Cecilia & I mourn this horrific loss & urge all Texans to come together.
I've instructed @TxDPS & Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. pic.twitter.com/Yjwi8tDT1v
Other leaders/elected officials:
Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 24, 2022
We are in close contact with local officials, but the precise details are still unfolding.
Thank you to heroic law enforcement & first responders for acting so swiftly.
MORE: Uvalde school shooting PHOTOS: Latest images from the scene, aftermath
I ask you all of you to join me in praying for our fellow Texans impacted by the horrific shooting in Uvalde today.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 24, 2022
Lord, our refuge and strength, we pray for the souls of those lost, those who were wounded, their families, and our brave first responders.
In the coming hours, we will begin to see the faces of more children whose lives have been stolen by yet another senseless act of gun violence in Texas. How much longer will we be willing to put the interests of the gun lobby over the lives of innocent people? #Uvalde.
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) May 24, 2022
Our broken hearts are with Uvalde.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 24, 2022
The darkness of this day and the evil that took so many innocent and young lives brings us to our knees. We hold one another tightly in tears and anguished prayer for our fellow Texans who are enduring this nightmare. There simply are no words. #prayforuvalde
— Dustin Burrows (@Burrows4TX) May 24, 2022
Another school shooting! Although Uvalde is not in my district, my heart breaks for the students and families who are the victims. Thoughts and Prayers are not enough, especially when it comes to children. This must stop. #GunControlNow
— Rep Alma Allen (@RepAllenTX131) May 24, 2022
Uvalde is a wonderful, tight-knit community west of my hometown of San Antonio. My heart goes out to the community and the families in Uvalde devastated by gun violence today. This is a parent’s worst nightmare. We need gun reform now. https://t.co/lQUPFHWlb6
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) May 24, 2022
It’s the unthinkable—not because we didn’t see this coming, but because we don’t want to believe this level of depravity exists.
— Gina Hinojosa (@GinaForAustin) May 24, 2022
It hurts too much.
Every level of government, every Texan, every American needs to ask: “What can I do?”https://t.co/5Rr7QOKVZb
Damn it. I hate this. https://t.co/iMUCz2wmD1
— Diego Bernal (@DiegoBernalTX) May 24, 2022
I’m without words with sadness and grief for the children and teacher killed by a gunman in Uvalde. This must stop. https://t.co/zpZ3hIUr7t
— Sarah Eckhardt (@sarah_eckhardt) May 24, 2022
My heart breaks for the city of Uvalde. Pray for our families.
— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) May 24, 2022
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” “Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14
On phone with friends in Uvalde (I do not represent) & neighboring communities (I do represent). What we are still discovering about what happened is the face of evil and unspeakably horrific. God be with all involved.
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 24, 2022
Our prayers are with the children, staff, and families of students at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. Multiple people, including children, have been killed.
— Rep. Tony Tinderholt (@reptinderholt) May 24, 2022
We ask for God’s comfort and pray for a fast recovery of the injured and healing for this small south Texas community.
The men and women of Constable Mark Herman's Office extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families and victims of the tragic school mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. pic.twitter.com/4cIEEx4sDA
— Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) May 24, 2022
More heartbreak due to yet *another* mass shooting. Today 2 more children were murdered. Gone.
— Jon Rosenthal (@Jon_RosenthalTX) May 24, 2022
How many more children must die before NRA loving politicians enact sensible gun reforms? How many?
This can never be normalized or accepted. https://t.co/YQ1NVq9JGB
Prayers to all in the Uvalde community 🙏🙏🙏
— Todd Hunter (@toddahunter) May 24, 2022
I’m praying for the victims and the families of Uvalde CISD.
— Mike Collier (@CollierForTexas) May 24, 2022
My heart breaks for an entire generation of children whom we have failed. A generation for whom mass shootings are a part of everyday life.
We don't have to live like this, and we can chose not to.
This is a horrific & heartbreaking situation. I’ve reached out to Rep. King and am keeping in touch with @TxDPS and @TDEM as this develops and more info becomes available. Please pray for the students, teachers, families and everyone else involved. https://t.co/OIwrI7qvTF
— Dade Phelan (@DadePhelan) May 24, 2022
Celinda and I mourn those lost in Uvalde today and our thoughts are with everyone whose lives were forever changed.
— Celia Israel (@CeliaIsrael) May 24, 2022
This happens far too often. Going to school should be safe for all students and educators.
These families deserve more than prayers— they deserve action.
Please join Tara and I in praying for the families of those whose lives were just taken in this horrific shooting in Uvalde.
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) May 24, 2022
No parent, child, or teacher should ever have to wonder whether it’s safe to go to school.
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) May 24, 2022
*This is an excruciatingly painful time for the tight-knit Uvalde community and for all Texans.
Today is a dark day. We’re all completely sickened and heartbroken. As of now, 15 innocent people are dead. 14 were children. Others are still in critical condition or otherwise injured, and we are all praying for each of them. 1/x
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 24, 2022