Texas Tragedy: Robb Elementary School and What We Know

The tragedy, which took place Tuesday, May 24, 2022, will forever be etched into the minds of citizens and families across the country. Unfortunately, another senseless act of violence against children occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Here is what we know.

Early Tuesday morning, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos posted on Facebook a series of posts detailing what the day would become. Ramos stated, “I’m going to shoot my grandmother in the first post.” Shortly after, an alleged domestic disturbance took place in which Ramos shot his grandmother in the face and seriously injured her. Ramos then posted, “I’ve shot my grandmother,” followed by “I’m going to shoot an elementary school.”

Ramos then left in his vehicle to carry out that threat. He crashed into the ditch near Robb Elementary School, where he exited his vehicle with, allegedly, a pistol and rifle and made his way towards the school. Uvalde Police received a 911 call about a “crashed vehicle with an individual armed with a rifle making his way to the school,” according to Department of Public Safety Lieutenant Chris Olivarez.

Ramos then entered the school, where he encountered a school resource officer, and a gunfight took place. The officer who engaged Ramos was injured by gunfire, allowing Ramos to barricade himself in a fourth-grade classroom – the first classroom that he was able to gain access to – where he subsequently opened fire on the teachers and students inside.

According to law enforcement, Uvalde Police Department Officers attempted to breach the classroom doors but found themselves repelled by gunfire from Ramos, which left multiple officers shot and injured. The Border Patrol Tactical Unit was later able to enter the classroom, and one of the agents fatally shot Ramos.

Witnesses to the horror allegedly urged officers to enter the building. Witness Juan Carranza (24), who lives across the street from Robb Elementary School, told Fox News, “There were more of them. There was just one of him.” Javier Cazares, the father of one of the victims in the shooting, suggested a group of civilians. “Rush in because the cops are not doing anything like they’re supposed to. More could have been done. They were unprepared.”

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McGraw stated Ramos could have been in the school for 40 minutes to an hour. However, the Actions taken by local law enforcement engaged Ramos almost immediately and resulted in Ramos being contained in one classroom preventing further loss of life.

What do you think? Was local law enforcement not prepared? Do you think there needs to be more active shooter training?