(WASHINGTON, D.C.) (CBSNews.com)–President Biden began his remarks from the White House Tuesday night with a deep sigh, after a shooter killed 18 children and an adult at an elementary school in Texas.
“I had hoped when I became president I would not have to do this — again,” the president said, with lifelong teacher First Lady Jill Biden at his side. “Another massacre. Uvalde, Texas. An elementary school. Beautiful, innocent second, third and fourth graders. And how many scores of little children who witnessed what happened — see their friends die, as if they’re in a battlefield, for God’s sake. They’ll live with it the rest of their lives.”
The president was briefed on the shooting on his return from a trip to Asia, and ordered flags at the White House and all other federal buildings to be flown at half-staff.
“I am sick and tired of it,” the president said of mass shootings. “We have to act. And don’t tell me we can’t have an impact on this carnage.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed the mass shooting at the beginning of a speech Tuesday night, saying, “Our hearts keep getting broken” and “enough is enough.”
The president spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to offer any assistance he needs, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield tweeted.
Abbott said the shooter is also dead, believed to have been killed by law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. The mass shooting took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on the students’ last week of school before summer break. The school teaches 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president’s “prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event,” and he will continue to receive updates on the situation.
Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pedro Arredondo said the shooting took place at about 11:32 a.m.
Two law enforcement sources confirm to CBS News that the shooter had a handgun, AR-15 weapon, and high-capacity magazines. Two law enforcement sources also said the suspect is suspected of killing his grandmother before going on the school shooting rampage. The gunman’s motivation is unclear at this time.
Arredondo said that the initial investigation has led authorities to believe that the suspect acted
(Initial report: May 24, 2022 6:46 PM CDT)
President Joseph R. Biden will now address the nation at approximately 7:30 P.M. CDT in response to the deadly shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. 14 students and one teacher at Robb Elementary School were killed by an unidentified teen gunman at 11:32 AM CDT. Law enforcement agencies believe the shooter also shot and killed his grandmother before going to the school Law enforcement officers say the gunman was shot and killed by police officers. Two law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect had a handgun, an AR-15 assault weapon and high capacity magazines. WHBY will carry the address live.
