Texas shooting: 18-year-old opens fire at school in Uvalde, kills 21 including 19 kids

New Delhi: As many as 21 people, including 19 children, were killed after a teenage gunman opened fire at a school in Texas (United States) on Wednesday (May 25, 2022). Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, was apparently killed by police officers responding to the scene and that two officers were struck by gunfire.

The incident took place at the Robb Elementary School in the town of Uvalde and authorities said that the suspect acted alone.

Texas Governor told a news conference hours after the shooting that 14 school children have been killed along with one teacher. But Texas state Senator Roland Gutierrez later said that the death toll had climbed to 18 children and three adults, Reuters reported.

Flags flown at half-staff after Uvalde shooting

President Joe Biden, who is returning to the US after a five-day trip to Asia, has reportedly ordered flags flown at half-staff until sunset daily until May 28 in observance of the tragedy. 

Governor Greg Abbott also directed that the Texas flag be immediately lowered to half-staff statewide on Wednesday in memory of those who lost their lives in the shooting.

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"Flags should remain at half-staff through sunset on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Flags should be returned to full-staff on the following day," he said.

Directing the Texas flag be immediately lowered to half-staff statewide on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in memory of those who lost their lives in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. https://t.co/cKLXbPPgLw https://t.co/YWsIidOTAz — Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) May 24, 2022

"Individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions and entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of honor and respect," Abbott added.

'I am sick and tired of it,' Joe Biden after Texas massacre

Americans must stand up to the gun lobby and pressure members of Congress to pass sensible gun laws, US President Joe Biden said as he addressed the nation after the killing of 19 children and two teachers in Texas.

"As a nation, we have to ask when in God's name we're going to stand up to the gun lobby when in God's name we do what we all know in our gut needs to be done," he said in a televised speech.

For every parent, for every citizen, we have to make it clear to every elected official: It’s time for action.

We can do more. We must do more. pic.twitter.com/VDe0Wc7YT8 — President Biden (@POTUS) May 25, 2022

"I am sick and tired of it. We have to act. And don't tell me we can't have an impact on this carnage," he added.

I’m addressing the nation on the horrific elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. https://t.co/8WI1nWHu6R — President Biden (@POTUS) May 25, 2022

The shooting, notably, unfolded within a fortnight after 10 people were killed in Buffalo, New York, in a predominantly Black neighborhood. An 18-year-old man, whom authorities said opened fire with an assault-style rifle, was charged for shooting in Buffalo.

The United States experienced 61 "active shooter" incidents last year, up sharply from the prior year and the highest tally in over 20 years, Reuters reported citing the FBI data.

(With agency inputs)