Texas school shooting: Officials say gunman was on campus for up to an hour before officers entered | Political news
The father of one of the victims of the Texas school massacre wanted to storm the building because police officers were waiting outside and not “doing anything like they were supposed to do”.
Officials have admitted that 18-year-old Salvador Ramos was at the school for up to an hour, during which time he murdered 21 people including 19 children and two teachers.
The revelation of how long it took to subdue Ramos comes as the town of Uvalde gathers to remember victim of the Robb elementary school massacre – America’s worst school shooting in nearly a decade.
17 people were also injured in the attack.
Live update: Gunman’s mother says she doesn’t see attack coming
Salvador Ramos. Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety
Javier Cazares, whose fourth grade daughter, Jacklyn Cazares, was killed in the attack, said he ran to the school when he heard about the shooting, arriving while police were still crowded outside the court. home.
He said he came up with the idea of charging the school with some outsiders. “Just rush in because the police don’t do anything like they’re supposed to,” he said. “More could have been done.”
“They were not prepared,” he added.
Jackie Cazares, 10, was one of the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Photo: Facebook
Juan Carranza, a witness who lives across the street from the school, said the women shouted at officers, “Get in there! Get in there!” after the attack began, and said officers did not enter.
Mr Carranza saw the gunman crash his truck into a ditch outside the school and take a rifle.
Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said at a news conference that the gunman was at the facility for 40 minutes to an hour before law enforcement arrived and killed him.
“It’s going to be within, like 40 minutes or something, within an hour,” he said.
Authorities say the gunman locked a classroom door when he got inside and opened fire.
A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said Border Patrol agents had difficulty breaking into the classroom door and had to ask an officer to open the room with a key.
Ramos shot his grandmother in the face before going to Robb Elementary School. She is still in a critical condition in the hospital.
Two family members of one of the victims during a ceremony. Photo: AP
As darkness fell in Uvalde on Wednesday night, families and individuals gathered to pay their respects to the victims, all in one classroom and including children under the age of 10.
Pastors lead prayers as crowds hold remains of those who have died.
Victims’ families hugged each other as members of the community sang hymns.
The gunman’s message before the attack was revealed
Since the attack, Ramos has sent a series of private messages to a Facebook contact where he said he would “kill” his grandmother and “shoot an elementary school”.
Officials also said the gunman’s grandmother was the one who alerted the police.
A series of posts appeared on Instagram and TikTok in the days leading up to the shooting including a selfie of the gunman in front of a mirror.
Instagram has confirmed that it is working with law enforcement to look into an account that appears to belong to the gunman.
During the mass shooting, Ramos wore armor and used a DDM4 rifle – a semi-automatic weapon modeled on the US military carbine.
It can be purchased under a financing arrangement for under $100 (£80) per month.
Read more:
What we know so far about the Texas gunman
Why changes to US gun laws have failed
Grief, love, kindness and anger over the latest massacre
Reigniting row on gun control
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Texas Democratic Domination Candidate Beto O’Rourke Targets Greg Abbott
The attack has sparked fierce debates over US gun laws and a powerful gun lobby.
Our President Joe Biden asked: “When to stand up in the gun corridor?” and called for new restrictions on firearms.
After the shooting, Texas Governor Greg Abbott faced fierce criticism from opponents for his stance on guns, in a state with some relaxed firearms regulations. most in the US.
The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association (NRA) begins Friday in Texas’ largest city of Houston, where Republicans include Abbott, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak.
The NRA called the shooting “the act of a lone, deranged criminal” and confirmed that it was continuing its event despite the massacre.
In a press conference where Mr Abbott blamed the shooting on a “mental health crisis”. In the community, Democratic politician Beto O’Rourke, interrupted and shouted:
“You did nothing to stop this.
“This was completely predictable.”
