At least 19 students, 2 adults killed in shooting at Texas elementary school

May 24 (UPI) -- A mass shooting at a South Texas elementary school left 19 students and at least two adults dead after a gunman opened fire Tuesday, local officials said.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Erick Estrada confirmed the death toll to CNN.

The shooting took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The school includes grades 2 through 4.

Speaking at a news conference shortly after the mass shooting, Abbott identified the shooter as Salvador Ramos, a resident of Uvalde. He said the 18-year-old was killed by law enforcement officers, two of whom also sustained minor injuries.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Ramos entered the school with a handgun and possibly a rifle. The shooting took place around 11:30 a.m.

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police Chief Pete Arredondo said investigators believe the suspect acted alone.

The Uvalde Police Department initially said it arrested the suspected gunman after responding to the school.

The Uvalde Memorial Hospital said it was "caring for several students" in the emergency room and University Hospital in San Antonio said it was evaluating one adult and one child. Neither facility offered details or conditions of the patients.

"We do want to keep all the families in our prayers," Arredondo said in a news conference.

In a statement, Greg Abbott said he and his wife, Cecilia Abbott, were mourning the "horrific loss."

"Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde," he said. "We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School."

President Joe Biden delivered remarks about the shooting on Tuesday night, saying it should be clear to "every elected official in this country it's time to act."

"It's time for those who obstruct or delay, or block the common-sense gun laws, we need to let you know that we will not forget," he said. "We can do so much more, we have to do more."

Biden ordered flags be flown at half staff at the White House and at all federal public grounds, buildings and vessels through Saturday.

The UCISD put all its campuses on lockdown in response to the gunshots.

Students from the elementary school were taken to the Willie DeLeon Civic Center for reunification with their parents. Nearly 600 students are enrolled at the elementary school.

Uvalde is located about 85 miles west of San Antonio and about 50 miles east of the Mexican border.

This is a developing story.