Authorities in Texas introduced Thursday afternoon the gunman who killed 19 youngsters and standard college instructors this week entered the college unobstructed.
Victor Escalon, a local director for the Texas Department of Public Safety, stated the gunman entered Robb Elementary withinside the metropolis of Uvalde thru a door that turned into seemingly unlocked.
The statement got here amid mounting questions over how plenty time elapsed earlier than government positioned a forestall to the rampage. The reason for the massacre — the nation`s deadliest college capturing given that Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut, a decade ago — additionally remained beneathneath investigation, with government pronouncing 18-year-antique Salvador Ramos had no recognised crook or intellectual fitness history.
During the siege, which ended while a U.S. Border Patrol crew burst in and shot the gunman to death, annoyed onlookers advised law enforcement officials to price into the college, consistent with witnesses.
In a assertion Thursday, Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez stated that officials replied to the capturing “inside mins.” Escalon stated neighborhood officials entered the college, have been fired at and took cowl.
“I realize phrases will by no means ease the ache that we’re all suffering,” Rodriguez stated, “however I wish you’ll be a part of me in taking a few solace in understanding that the ache comes from the reality that all of us have such deep love for all of the sufferers who’ve been taken from us, people who are recovering, and people who simplest time and love will retain to heal.”
On Wednesday, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw stated forty mins to an hour elapsed from while the gunman opened hearthplace on a college protection officer to while the tactical crew shot him. On Thursday, Escalon stated the gunman wasn’t faced with the aid of using an officer earlier than getting into the college.
Investigators have been combing thru video pictures from outside and inside of the college, Escalon stated.
Before Tuesday’s attack, the gunman shot and wounded his grandmother at the house they shared. Escalon stated Thursday she turned into alive and in strong condition.
The gunman then crashed his truck right into a ditch out of doors the college, grabbed his AR-15-fashion semi-computerized rifle and shot at humans out of doors a funeral home, who ran away uninjured, Escalon stated.
The gunman climbed over a fence and opened hearthplace on the college from a parking lot. He then entered the college at 11:forty a.m. and fired “severa rounds,” Escalon stated.
“Four mins later, neighborhood police departments … are inside, making entry,” Escalon stated. “They pay attention gunfire. They take rounds. They flow back, get cowl and in the course of that point they technique wherein the suspect is at.”
He stated officials did not first of all input the school room the gunman entered due to the fact he fired at them. The officials known as for backup and began out evacuating the relaxation of the college.
“There’s loads going on,” Escalon stated.
Late Thursday afternoon, the White House introduced President Biden and primary girl Jill Biden will go to Uvalde on Sunday “to grieve with the community.” Details approximately the Bidens’ go to could be launched withinside the coming days, the White House stated.
