The mass shooting in Texas is the latest tragic news involving a school : NPR

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

If you are simply waking up, the demise toll is now 21 from an elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. An 18-year-old opened hearth at the rural elementary school there. Sergio Martinez-Beltran is the Texas capital reporter for NPR’s the Texas Newsroom. And he will convey us updated from Austin. Welcome to the program.

SERGIO MARTINEZ-BELTRAN, BYLINE: Good morning.

INSKEEP: What is recognized to this point? Just give us the greatest information you bought.

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: Yeah. Like you mentioned, sadly, the variety of the victims has elevated. We have 19 youngsters and two adults who’re confirmed lifeless. We additionally know that the gunman died. Now, as a result of it is an elementary school, Robb Elementary, we all know that the college students are in second, third and fourth grade. Some of the youngsters, you understand, had even acquired awards previous to the shooting for having good grades. So it’s extremely unhappy. And we additionally know that of the two adults, at the least one was a instructor at this school.

INSKEEP: Can you inform us about the setting? I’ve been studying now about Uvalde and see references to the Texas Hill Country. It looks as if a small place. What’s it like?

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: Yeah, it is a small place, about 83 miles west of San Antonio. You know, it is about 16 folks, so small city. Now, it’s extremely various. It’s 73% Hispanic. And it is the sort of group the place folks know everybody. And we’re seeing that on social media, Steve, you understand? We’re seeing that folks have been posting these memorials about their family members. And it looks as if everybody is linked with everybody in this group. The school district is additionally very various, in addition to the elementary school.

INSKEEP: Yeah, if I simply take into consideration 16,000 folks, in all probability a lot of households had any person in that elementary school. If they didn’t really lose somebody, they’re speaking to somebody who survived. I discussed the gunman is 18 – was 18. What extra is recognized about his actions on the option to the school?

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: Yeah. So Governor Greg Abbott mentioned that the gunman was additionally a resident of Uvalde, so he was a part of the group. Now, it has been a little complicated and, I believe, additionally, like, a little surprising to listen to the particulars about what occurred previous to the school shooting. So authorities say that earlier than going into the school, the gunman shot his grandmother after which drove and crashed in a ditch close to the school district. You know, he exited the automotive. And then he was engaged by regulation enforcement. But nonetheless, the suspect was capable of enter the school. And then we all know what occurred, you understand, he began shooting there.

INSKEEP: I simply need to be sure that I’m clear on this. We mentioned 21 lifeless. I perceive from different reporting it is not clear if that features the gunman, who was killed by police. Does – is it clear if it contains the grandmother or not?

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: The last item we all know – we knew about the grandmother was that she was unclear. What we do know is that 19 youngsters, two adults – and that is in addition to the gunman, who additionally died.

INSKEEP: OK. OK. OK, so 21 victims that we all know of at this level. Very briefly, how are officers responding?

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: You know, there’s been a lot of ache, you understand? It’s been a actual tragedy. And, in fact, when you concentrate on the households of these killed, it is arduous. We’ve heard from the school superintendent at Uvalde, who talked about how he was heartbroken and mentioned the group wants prayers, that is the solely method they will get by means of this. But there’s additionally been a lot of frustration. We do know that Governor Abbott signed a invoice final 12 months that enables Texas residents – most Texas residents to hold a gun with out a license. So many people have mentioned one thing must be completed.

INSKEEP: Sergio Martinez-Beltran of Texas Newsroom. Thank you a lot.

MARTINEZ-BELTRAN: Thank you.

Copyright © 2022 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our web site phrases of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for additional information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This textual content will not be in its closing type and could also be up to date or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability could differ. The authoritative document of NPR’s programming is the audio document.