01of 38The scene Tuesday outside Robb Elementary School.Twenty-one people are dead — 19 students and two teachers — after ashooting on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary Schoolin Uvalde, Texas.The shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in United States history and comes nearly a decade after the December 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which killed 26.
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The scene Tuesday outside Robb Elementary School.
Twenty-one people are dead — 19 students and two teachers — after ashooting on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary Schoolin Uvalde, Texas.
The shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in United States history and comes nearly a decade after the December 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which killed 26.
02of 38Jordan Vonderhaar/GettyThe children killed were in the second, third and fourth grades, police said.According to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the shooter, identified as Uvalde resident Salvador Ramos, is dead. The shooter opened fire at Robb Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m. after abandoning his vehicle, and it is believed police killed him.
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Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty
The children killed were in the second, third and fourth grades, police said.
According to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the shooter, identified as Uvalde resident Salvador Ramos, is dead. The shooter opened fire at Robb Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m. after abandoning his vehicle, and it is believed police killed him.
03of 38First responders told PEOPLEthat when they arrived, they could still hear the sounds of shots being fired as teachers and students rushed from the school.Panicked parents — some barefoot, others wearing business suits — rushed to the school in a desperate search for their children.“Fathers smashed windows, and physically pulled their kids out of classrooms,” Ernest “Chip” King, a Uvalde firefighter who was one of the first responders at the scene, told PEOPLE. “There was a lot of chaos.”
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First responders told PEOPLEthat when they arrived, they could still hear the sounds of shots being fired as teachers and students rushed from the school.
Panicked parents — some barefoot, others wearing business suits — rushed to the school in a desperate search for their children.
“Fathers smashed windows, and physically pulled their kids out of classrooms,” Ernest “Chip” King, a Uvalde firefighter who was one of the first responders at the scene, told PEOPLE. “There was a lot of chaos.”
04of 38ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty"There was lot of angst and a lot of fear," said King. “Parents were wondering where their kids were, trying to find them amidst all the chaos. They were terrified.“At right, people sit on the curb outside of the elementary school, waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.
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ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty
“There was lot of angst and a lot of fear,” said King. “Parents were wondering where their kids were, trying to find them amidst all the chaos. They were terrified.”
At right, people sit on the curb outside of the elementary school, waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.
05of 38Parents comfort each other after Tuesday’s massacre.Brandon Bell/GettyOthers were directed to reunification points, such as SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center.Pictured: People embrace as they mourn outside of the civic center.
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Parents comfort each other after Tuesday’s massacre.Brandon Bell/Getty
Others were directed to reunification points, such as SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center.
Pictured: People embrace as they mourn outside of the civic center.
06of 38ALLISON DINNER/gettyIn 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the U.S., surpassing motor vehicle crashes,according toTheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine.Pictured: Two people hug outside of Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas.
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In 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the U.S., surpassing motor vehicle crashes,according toTheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine.
Pictured: Two people hug outside of Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas.
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Pictured: A woman cries as she hugs a young girl outside of Willie de Leon Civic Center.
08of 38ALLISON DINNER/gettyVice President Kamala Harrissaid in a statement, “Every time a tragedy like this happens our hearts break. And our broken hearts are nothing compared to the broken hearts of those families, and yet it keeps happening,” she continued, later adding, “Enough is enough.“Pictured: A child cries on the curb following the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
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Vice President Kamala Harrissaid in a statement, “Every time a tragedy like this happens our hearts break. And our broken hearts are nothing compared to the broken hearts of those families, and yet it keeps happening,” she continued, later adding, “Enough is enough.”
Pictured: A child cries on the curb following the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
09of 38Jordan Vonderhaar/GettyPeople hold hands during a prayer vigil in Uvalde’s town center on May 24.
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People hold hands during a prayer vigil in Uvalde’s town center on May 24.
10of 38Families hug outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas.ALLISON DINNER/gettyIn 2022 alone, there have been212 mass shooting events,27 of which were school shootings.Pictured: A man hugs a child after being reunited following the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary school.
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Families hug outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas.ALLISON DINNER/getty
In 2022 alone, there have been212 mass shooting events,27 of which were school shootings.
Pictured: A man hugs a child after being reunited following the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary school.
11of 38Dario Lopez-Mills/APPeople comfort one another outside of the civic center on Tuesday following the shooting.
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Dario Lopez-Mills/AP
People comfort one another outside of the civic center on Tuesday following the shooting.
12of 38Dario Lopez-Mills/APThe archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside the civic center.
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The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside the civic center.
13of 38Jordan Vonderhaar/GettyMembers of the community gather at the City of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil on May 24.
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Members of the community gather at the City of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil on May 24.
14of 38Jordan Vonderhaar/GettyPeople raise their hands in prayer and cry at the vigil on May 24.
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People raise their hands in prayer and cry at the vigil on May 24.
15of 38Jordan Vonderhaar/GettyA family, including a young child, hold hands and embrace at the prayer vigil.
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A family, including a young child, hold hands and embrace at the prayer vigil.
16of 38Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesA family grieves outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on May 24.
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Brandon Bell/Getty Images
A family grieves outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on May 24.
17of 38ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty ImagesA woman hugs and kisses two children outside of the Willie de Leon Civic Center on May 24.
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ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images
A woman hugs and kisses two children outside of the Willie de Leon Civic Center on May 24.
18of 38Robb Elementary School.Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesThe welcome sign at Robb Elementary School has become a memorial for the 19 children and two teachers who were killed.
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Robb Elementary School.Brandon Bell/Getty Images
The welcome sign at Robb Elementary School has become a memorial for the 19 children and two teachers who were killed.
19of 38John Lamparski/NurPhoto/ShutterstockVigils were held in Uvalde andacross the state of Texason Wednesday night.
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John Lamparski/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Vigils were held in Uvalde andacross the state of Texason Wednesday night.
20of 38CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty ImagesUvalde County Fairplex served as a place for people to gather on May 25.Many leaders within the Uvalde community spoke during the remembrance event, including Pastor Tony Gruben of the Baptist Temple Church, who told mourners, “Our hearts are broken. We are devastated,” according toNBC News.
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CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images
Uvalde County Fairplex served as a place for people to gather on May 25.
Many leaders within the Uvalde community spoke during the remembrance event, including Pastor Tony Gruben of the Baptist Temple Church, who told mourners, “Our hearts are broken. We are devastated,” according toNBC News.
21of 38John Lamparski/NurPhoto/ShutterstockMourners gather to grieve and pray in the wake of the tragedy.
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Mourners gather to grieve and pray in the wake of the tragedy.
22of 38ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty ImagesLocals bow their heads in prayer at a vigil in Uvalde, Texas, on May 25.
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Locals bow their heads in prayer at a vigil in Uvalde, Texas, on May 25.
23of 38ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty ImagesPeople mourn together at a vigil on May 25.
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People mourn together at a vigil on May 25.
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“Unfortunately my beautiful Nevaeh was one of the many victims from todays tragedy,” she wrote. “Thank you for the support and help. Rest in peace my sweet girl, you didn’t deserve this.”
25of 38CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty ImagesA woman cries at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
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A woman cries at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
26of 38Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesPeople gather at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas, to pray and mourn for the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
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Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images
People gather at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas, to pray and mourn for the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
27of 38CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty ImagesTwo young women hug a police officer while attending a vigil in Uvalde on May 25.
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Two young women hug a police officer while attending a vigil in Uvalde on May 25.
28of 38Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesGun control advocates Dana Cibulski and Judi Giannini attend a vigil outside of the National Rifle Association headquarters on May 25.
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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Gun control advocates Dana Cibulski and Judi Giannini attend a vigil outside of the National Rifle Association headquarters on May 25.
29of 38Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesPeople gather to pray for the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde on May 25.
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People gather to pray for the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde on May 25.
30of 38Mourners at a vigil for the victims.Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesPeople embrace and cry at a vigil on May 25.
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Mourners at a vigil for the victims.Brandon Bell/Getty Images
People embrace and cry at a vigil on May 25.
31of 38Memorial for the 21 victims of the Uvalde school shooting.Elaine AradillasA memorial to the 21 victims stands outside the Uvalde County Courthouse on May 26.
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Memorial for the 21 victims of the Uvalde school shooting.Elaine Aradillas
A memorial to the 21 victims stands outside the Uvalde County Courthouse on May 26.
32of 38Lutheran Church CharitiesService dogs are deployed to the area around the Uvalde County Courthouse on May 26 to comfort mourners.
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Lutheran Church Charities
Service dogs are deployed to the area around the Uvalde County Courthouse on May 26 to comfort mourners.
33of 38Lutheran Church CharitiesOne of the service dogs stands watch over the memorial.
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One of the service dogs stands watch over the memorial.
34of 38The memorial to the victims is aglow with candles on May 27.
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The memorial to the victims is aglow with candles on May 27.
35of 38Ilana Panich-LinsmanOn May 27, Javier Garcia hugs Emily Valle in front of the memorial of Emily’s cousin Layla Salazar, who was killed in the school shooting.
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Ilana Panich-Linsman
On May 27, Javier Garcia hugs Emily Valle in front of the memorial of Emily’s cousin Layla Salazar, who was killed in the school shooting.
36of 38A makeshift memorial outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults were fatally shot May 24.Michael M. Santiago/GettyThe memorial to the victims at Robb Elementary continues to grow on May 30.
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A makeshift memorial outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults were fatally shot May 24.Michael M. Santiago/Getty
The memorial to the victims at Robb Elementary continues to grow on May 30.
37of 38ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGAPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden bring flowers to Robb Elementary during a somber visit on May 29.
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ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden bring flowers to Robb Elementary during a somber visit on May 29.
38of 38MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyThe Bidens join the Uvalde community for mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on May 29.
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MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
The Bidens join the Uvalde community for mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on May 29.
source: people.com
