Uvalde gun terror: Gang-related shooting injures 2 minors at park, months after Robb Elementary School massacre
UVALDE, TEXAS: Two juveniles were left injured in a shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on Thursday, September 8. The shocking incident took place in Memorial Park, close to Robb Elementary School where 19 students and two teachers were shot dead on May 24.
According to a KENS5 report, the two injured minors were rushed to a hospital in San Antonio. The Uvalde PD released a statement warning citizens to stay clear of the area near Robb Elementary School and Memorial Park. "Please AVOID the area of the Uvalde Memorial Park. The Uvalde Police Department is currently investigating a shooting with injured victims," the statement read. A distance of less than a mile separates the crime scene from Robb Elementary School, where the mass shooting took place. Furthermore, Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez said that the two unidentified suspects are under pursuit by the police force in order for justice to be served.
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We are working with the Uvalde Police Department and Sheriff’s Office following a suspected gang related shooting at Memorial Park. This information is preliminary, as the situation develops we will work with local law enforcement to provide updates.
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) September 9, 2022
Later in the evening, Texas Governor Greg Abbott commented on the shooting and called it outrageous. "I was outraged to learn that gang violence has endangered the Uvalde community and innocent Texans this evening. I immediately called Mayor McLaughlin and County Judge Mitchell to offer the state's full support and resources as law enforcement hunts down the gang members. After speaking with the mayor and the county judge about the immediate need for more law enforcement support, I have directed the Department of Public Safety to conduct patrol operations in the gang hotspots, send an additional six DPS trooper units to work around the clock, and begin coordinating an anti-gang effort with the city," he narrated in his speech. In order to "bring the full force of justice down on these heinous criminals," he continued, the state agents will collaborate with the neighborhood and county police.
Robb Elementary School shooting
On May 24, the state was in a state of horror when gunman Salvador Ramos carried out a mass shooting rampage at Robb Elementary School claiming the lives of 21 people. Ramos, 18, barricaded himself inside a classroom and began firing at students. After a study revealed that officers were silent for more than an hour even after Salvador was on a shooting spree, school authorities worked all summer to enhance safety procedures at the school.
Uvalde police too are facing criticism for their slow response to the tragedy. Ramos reportedly entered the school’s premises at around 11:30 am but was shot down by an unidentified cop only at 1:06 pm, which raises a lot of serious questions about the response to the threat. The school has since shut its doors to the students as a plan to improve the safety measures in the vicinity.