President Joe Biden addressed the country tonight at 8:15 pm, after a shooter massacred 15 people at a Texas elementary school, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
In commemoration of the deaths, Biden directed that all flags at the White House and on government premises be flown at half-staff until sundown on May 28. The president was informed of the terrible mass shooting while flying back from his maiden trip to Asia as commander-in-chief.
Biden Orders Flags at Half-Staff Following Deadly Shooting in Texas
Biden was supposed to return late Tuesday with no activities planned. Biden was in South Korea and Japan to reaffirm the US commitment to regional partners and to send a message to China that it cannot operate unchallenged. But he's coming to the scene of his administration's bloodiest school massacre, and the deadliest since a teen shooter murdered 17 people at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in February 2018.
At least 14 elementary school pupils and one teacher were killed after an 18-year-old opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas' governor said Tuesday afternoon. Thirteen pupils are being treated at Uvalde Memorial Hospital, as is a 45-year-old man who sustained a graze, Daily Mail reported.
The president's trip to Asia last week occurred only two days after he visited with the relatives of those slain in a hate-motivated shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. Back-to-back tragedies served as sobering reminders of the regularity and heinousness of America's scourge of mass gun violence.
Biden entered the White House looking solemn, saying he will speak to the American people about the tragedy soon. In respect of the deaths, he ordered that American flags be flown at half-staff until sunset on Saturday.
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Lawmakers Across the US React to Tragic Texas Shooting
Vice President Kamala Harris stated that in situations like this, "our hearts shatter - but our hearts keep breaking, our sad hearts pale in comparison to other families' broken hearts." According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden was informed about the incident aboard Air Force One by Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O'Malley-Dillon and other members of his senior team.
Biden spoke with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott from the presidential jet just before landing in Washington, offering any aid he requires in the aftermath of the tragic massacre in Uvalde, TX, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield tweeted, according to NBC New York.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was the first official to announce the high death toll and disclose details on the alleged gunman. On Tuesday afternoon, Texas Senator Ted Cruz responded to the incident by tweeting his gratitude to law police and first responders for acting quickly.
The incident was described as "every parent and teacher's worst nightmare" by the state's other Republican senator, John Cornyn. Following the incident, the congressman stated that he will return to his home state.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat who represents a district that covers half of San Antonio, some 85 miles east of Uvalde, commented on the little town's close-knit community. Tony Gonzalez, a Republican from Texas, represents the district that contains Uvalde. Gonzalez expressed his sympathy for the community on Tuesday.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who represents the Sandy Hook neighborhood and has long advocated for gun regulation, gave an emotional address on the Senate floor shortly after the incident on Tuesday. Murphy addressed his colleagues passionately for five minutes, pushing for gun regulation. Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that words cannot express the anguish and indignation caused by today's cold-blooded shooting at Robb Elementary School.
In a tweet on Tuesday, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged for action. Meanwhile, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey called for an end to the country's "gun violence epidemic." Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal expressed sympathy for the victims' families and added, "Enough is enough," as per Business Insider.
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