Border Patrol Agent Injured Exchanging Fire with School Gunman
According to the Associated Press, the Border Patrol agent who shot a lone gunman at a Texas elementary school today was injured during the incident.
It was after 11 AM local time when a gunman walked onto an elementary school campus in Uvalde, Texas, and opened fire in a classroom.
According to the latest reports, the gunman killed his grandmother before walking onto the school's campus and killing another 19 people, including children.
When the initial call came in about an active shooter, the Associated Press reports that a (yet to be identified) Border Patrol agent, who was working nearby, rushed to the scene to assist.
That agent, according to the report, was able to locate and confront the gunman as the gunman hid behind a barricade. Details are still few, but the gunman was shot and killed by the agent, and the agent was injured in the incident.
The extent of the agent's injuries is still unknown, but it is reported that he was able to walk out of the school on his own.
The story also points out that the agent did NOT wait for backup before confronting the gunman.
The Associated Press is reporting that investigators said the shooter used two assault-style rifles that he purchased on his 18th birthday.
Of the dead, 18 were students at the school and 1 was a 4th-grade teacher, identified by ABC News online as Eva Mireles.
According to the Houston ABC affiliate, Mireles had worked for the school district for 17 years and was the mother of one adult daughter.
Mireles' husband also worked for the school district, according to the Robb Elementary School website.
When we went to the Robb Elementary School's website, an emergency notice popped up on the screen, and it chilled me to my bones.
The message, intended for parents and guardians of the students at Robb Elementary, instructs those caretakers to not pick up their children until they are accounted for.
Robb Elementary Parents, please do not pick up students at this time. Students need to be accounted for before they are released to your care. You will be notified to pick up students once all are accounted for.
Reunification Site for Robb Students:
Robb Elementary students are being transported to the Civic Center for reunification. The Civic Center will be under a Secure Status until all students are account for. Parents please do not pick up students at this time. You will be notified to pick up students once all are accounted for.
Our hearts are hurting for our friends in Uvalde, Texas, and for the countless others who are affected by this tragedy.