Outpourings of local support are being sent to the Uvalde community following Tuesday’s mass shooting that left 19 students and two teachers dead at Robb Elementary School.
The shooting occurred at about noon as the gunman, who was killed, opened fire in a fourth-grade classroom.
Uvalde is located almost 100 miles west of San Antonio.
In addition, local law enforcement has stated that increased security will be present at all Boerne and Comfort ISD campuses, as well as at upcoming graduation ceremonies, as the 2021-22 academic year comes to a close this week.
The Boerne Independent School District also sent email blasts to parents and staff.
“Boerne ISD is aware of the tragedy that occurred this afternoon with our neighbors in Uvalde ISD,” read the first email sent on Tuesday afternoon. “As details of this event unfold over the next several days, we will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our staff and students.”
The school district sent a second email on Wednesday morning providing additional information.
“As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2022 on Thursday and Friday, we wanted to update you regarding the increased safety and security measures that will be in place for both commencement ceremonies,” it read. “We will have an increased law enforcement presence at the stadium both nights with additional police officers and sheriff deputies stationed in and around the venue."
BISD also will enact a “no bag” policy for both ceremonies.
"We kindly ask that you do no bring bags of any kind to the ceremony," The email stated. "Small clutch bags or purses that do not exceed the size of a standard envelope are permitted."
BISD stated the measures are taken in an abundance of caution in order to better protect students and their guests at the ceremonies.
It also was stated a moment of silence will be observed during both ceremonies to pay respects to the victims in Uvalde.
"We appreciate your patience and cooperation," the Wednesday email stated. "We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2022!"
The last day of classes for BISD students is Thursday. That night, the Champion High School graduation is scheduled for 8 p.m. at BISD Stadium. Boerne High School’s graduation is at the same time and place on Friday night. Comfort graduates its Class of 2022 on Friday night as well.
Boerne ISD is checking in all campus visitors through its standard process, including frequent guests. It sent secondary school resource officers to elementary campuses early in the morning and has additional patrols at secondary campuses. This is in addition to the district’s current safety and security protocols.
"Our hearts are heavy today following the tragedy at Robb Elementary School,” BISD Director of Communications Bryan Benway told The Star. “Boerne ISD sends our thoughts and prayers to the entire Uvalde community."
Benway said the school district has offered assistance as counselors and staff have reached out to colleagues in Uvalde to offer condolences and to let them know they are ready to help, if needed.
"We know that what they need most now are prayers and blood donations,” Benway said.
"We continue to work closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students, parents and staff,” he said. “We greatly appreciate the additional officers stationed at our campuses over the next two days as well as at the upcoming graduation ceremonies."
Benway also said BISD is reviewing its current safety protocols and will continue to review them throughout the summer and make any changes or adjustments that are necessary.
"The safety of our students and staff has always been our top priority,” he said.
Support
Both the Boerne Police Department and the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office posted information similar to BISD that stated there will be an increased law enforcement presence through the remainder of the school year. Both entities also sent their well-wishes, as well as thoughts and prayers, to the Uvalde school district and community.
“Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with the Uvalde community after today’s violence at Robb Elementary School,” BPD posted on social media Tuesday. “As the school year draws to a close, we want to let the Boerne community know there are no known threats against any of our schools. Out of an abundance of caution, we will increase our presence on all campuses and during graduation ceremonies and you will be able to see our increase presence.
“We also cannot stress enough – vigilance plays a big part in ongoing safety. When you see something, say something and allow law enforcement and school officials to check it out.
“Please join us in extending our thoughts and prayers with Uvalde CISD, the teachers, the students, the first responders and all the families affected by this tragedy.”
Kendall County Sheriff Al Auxier shared similar thoughts.
“Our hearts are broken for the families, friends and the entire community of Uvalde,” he said. “Lives are forever changed. As the 2021-22 school year ends this week, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office will have increased patrol at all Comfort schools, Herff Elementary and Voss Middle School with marked units and uniformed patrol in conjunction with our school resource officers.”
He also said the department’s mental health officers will be available for students and educators if needed.
“My office will continue to pray for the community of Uvalde as they go through the desperation and anguish they are now facing,” the sheriff said. “God bless our children and keep them safe.”
Kendall County Criminal District Attorney Nicole Bishop told The Star that in the wake of the tragedy, she reached out to the Uvalde County district attorney to offer assistance.
“I was told they needed victim advocates, so we sent ours to assist,” she said, adding victim advocates help offer comfort, resources, guidance and assistance to victims of crimes and their families.
“We will do everything within our power to assist and support our Uvalde neighbors during this horrific time,” Bishop said. “I know every other agency in Kendall County feels the same way.”
BISD also stated its counselors are available for those who may need additional support.
The city of Boerne announced a couple of prayer vigils have been planned for Wednesday evening "as we grieve and extend our sympathies to our neighbors in Uvalde."
The first, at 6 p.m., is a "Night of Prayer" at First Baptist Church, 631 S. School St., in its Worship Center. At 9 p.m., a community-led candlelight vigil at Main Plaza is scheduled where participants will gather to sing hymns and recite prayers. Those attending the vigil at Main Plaza are asked to bring battery-operated candles, if possible.
Governor Gregg Abbott also issued a statement about the mass shooting.
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde,” he said. “Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering.
“We thank the courageous first responders who worked to finally secure Robb Elementary School. I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to work with local law enforcement to fully investigate this crime. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is charged with providing local officials all resources necessary to respond to this tragedy as the State of Texas works to ensure the community has what it needs to heal.”
Joli Boutique, a Main Street retailer in Boerne, is organizing a cross and card event for families of the Uvalde victims.
"In light of yesterday's tragic events, Joli Boutique and the rest of the Boerne retailers want to begin gathering crosses and cards with words of prayer and encouragement to be sent to our brothers and sisters in the Uvalde Community,” Joli stated on social media. “We want these crosses and cards to act as a physical symbol for all of the outpouring love that our nation is showing them at this time through prayer.”
Interested individuals are asked to bring cross and card donations to the boutique, 189 S. Main St., during regular business hours through June 3.
The shooting
According to published reports from The Associated Press and elsewhere, the 18-year-old gunman who shot and killed the 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school barricaded himself inside a single classroom and “began shooting anyone that was in his way,” authorities said Wednesday in detailing the mass killing.
Law enforcement officers eventually broke into the classroom and killed the gunman, who used an AR-style rifle. Police and others responding to Tuesday’s attack also went around breaking windows at the school to enable students and teachers to escape, Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety said on NBC’s “Today” show.
Published reports stated Olivarez told CNN that all of the victims were in the same fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary.
The killer “barricaded himself by locking the door and just started shooting children and teachers that were inside that classroom,” he said. “It just shows you the complete evil of the shooter.”
Investigators did not immediately disclose a motive but identified the assailant as Salvador Ramos, a resident of the community.
Ramos had hinted on social media that an attack could be coming, suggesting that “kids should watch out,” according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he had been briefed by state police.
Ramos legally brought two AR-style rifles just days before the attack, soon after his 18th birthday, state senators briefed by law enforcement said.
The Uvalde attack was the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012.
In a somber address to the nation hours after the bloodshed in Uvalde, President Joe Biden pleaded for new gun restrictions.
“As a nation we have to ask: When in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? When in God’s name are we going to do what has to be done?” he asked. “Why are we willing to live with this carnage?”
Before the attack, Ramos shot and wounded his grandmother, then fled the scene, crashing his truck near the school and entering the building, authorities said. Inside the barricaded classroom, he “just began shooting anyone that was in his way,” Olivarez said.
Uvalde, home to about 16,000 people, is about 75 miles from the Mexican border. Robb Elementary, which has nearly 600 students in second, third and fourth grades, is a single-story brick structure in a mostly residential neighborhood of modest homes.
Condolences poured in from leaders around the world. Pope Francis pleaded that it was time say “‘enough’ to the indiscriminate trade of weapons!” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his nation also knows “the pain of losing innocent young lives.”
Actor Matthew McConaughey, who is from Uvalde, also commented on the tragedy.
"Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us," McConaughey wrote in a statement just after midnight that appeared on his social media platforms.
He said that people need to "rearrange our values" so that people can find common ground "above this devastating American reality that has tragically become our children's issue."
"The true call to action now is for every American to take a longer and deeper look in the mirror, and ask ourselves, 'What is it that we truly value? How do we repair the problem? What small sacrifices can we individually take today, to preserve a healthier and safer nation, state, and neighborhood tomorrow?'" he wrote. "We can't exhale once again, make excuses and accept these tragic realities as the status quo."
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