German girl talks about gunmen on TV: "Never had plans with his friends"

Created: 05/26/2022, 09:51

By: Richard Strobl, Marc Dimitriu, Julia Volkenand

A shooting spree has occurred at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

There is currently talk of 21 deaths.

All news can be found in our ticker.

• At least 21 people have been killed at a Texas elementary school in Uvalde, USA.

• The victims are said to be 19 children and two adults.

• The perpetrator wrote shortly before the act with a German girl: "I shot my grandma in the head"

• US President Biden calls for stricter gun laws: he was "disgusted" by the act.

Update from May 26, 9:33 a.m .:

The director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw, has given further details about the terrible shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde.

Accordingly, the 18-year-old perpetrator fought a shootout with the police that lasted around 30 minutes after killing 19 students and two teachers.

"And then the shooting stopped and he barricaded himself in," McCraw said.

The gunman holed up in a classroom in the school building.

Almost half an hour later, the police officers forcibly entered the classroom and killed the 18-year-old.

Update from May 26, 6:42 a.m .:

After the horrific bloody deed in Texas, more and more details are coming to light.

Most recently, a 15-year-old from Frankfurt revealed that she was in contact with the perpetrator (see update from May 25, 9:27 p.m.).

Among other things, she said: "Every time I spoke to him, he never had plans with his friends." In the meantime, the grandfather of the 18-year-old shooter, who died in the act himself, has also spoken out.

He told ABC that his grandson never talked much.

"He was very calm."

The perpetrator wrote shortly before the act with a German girl: "I shot my grandma in the head"

Update from May 25, 9:27 p.m .:

As reported by

, the gunman who killed at least 21 people at a Texas elementary school wrote shortly before his crime with a 15-year-old girl from Frankfurt.

Immediately after he shot his grandmother, he sent her a text message in which he wrote: "I just shot my grandma in the head." The next message then probably said: "I'm going to shoot an elementary school right now .” The German girl, who lives in Frankfurt, had been in contact with the perpetrator since May 9 via a messenger service, and he even planned to visit her.

In an interview with the broadcaster, the girl said she had the impression that the 18-year-old had few friends.

Update from May 25, 8:25 p.m .:

Steven McCraw, the director of security in Texas, announced at the press conference how the shooter got to the guns and ammunition.

The 18-year-old has no criminal past and lived with his 66-year-old grandmother.

On March 18, he bought a semi-automatic rifle at a local sporting goods store, along with 375 rounds of ammunition.

Then, on March 20, he bought a second semi-automatic rifle in the same shop.

Perpetrator announced rampage on Facebook

Update from May 25, 8 p.m.:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott gave a press conference on Wednesday on the occasion of the rampage in Uvalde.

30 minutes before the attack, in which at least 21 people lost their lives, the perpetrator posted posts on Facebook, Abbott said.

The first post said "I'm going to kill my grandmother".

He also announced the attack on the school: "I will shoot at an elementary school." Later, the 18-year-old actually shot his grandmother, who alerted the police with serious injuries.

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A woman cries after the shooting in Uvalde Texas.

© IMAGO/San Antonio Express News

Update from May 25, 6:05 p.m .:

The worst school massacre in the United States in ten years has caused horror and started a new debate about the lax gun law in the country.

At least 19 students and two teachers were killed Tuesday by an 18-year-old gunman at a Texas elementary school.

The attacker, whose motive initially remained unclear, was shot dead by police officers, according to authorities.

US President Joe Biden, visibly shocked, called for gun laws to be tightened.

The attack happened at an elementary school in the small southern Texas town of Uvalde.

According to media reports, the 18-year-old was bullied as a teenager because of a speech disorder and had injured himself.

According to a Texas senator, he bought two assault rifles and 375 rounds of ammunition a few days after his 18th birthday.

Shooting spree in Texas: US politicians call for gun reform

In response to the Uvalde massacre, President Biden and politicians from his Democratic Party called for tougher gun laws.

"When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?" the president said in an emotional speech at the White House after returning from a trip to Asia.

"I'm disgusted and tired." It's high time to "turn the pain into action".

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told the Senate plenary session that he was "begging" the conservative opposition to agree to tougher legislation.

"It's not inevitable, these kids weren't just unlucky," Murphy said.

"It only happens in this country and nowhere else." The Democrats now want to advance a bill in the Senate to expand background checks on gun buyers.

However, the opposition Republicans have long opposed tightening of gun laws.

With its blocking minority in the Senate, former President Donald Trump's party can block any bill on the subject.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz accused the Democrats of wanting to politically exploit the Uvalde school massacre to limit the right of "law-abiding citizens" to own guns.

Rifles, pistols and revolvers are widely used in the US: According to one estimate, there are more than 390 million civilian-owned firearms in the country, which is more than residents.

Gun violence is commonplace: according to the Gun Violence Archive website, almost 21,000 people were killed by gunfire last year alone, not including suicides.

The attack in Texas also caused international dismay and criticism of lax US gun laws.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wrote in English on Twitter: "Our thoughts are with the injured and survivors of the victims of this incredible massacre." French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that France shares "the shock and sadness" of the USA, but also " the anger of those fighting for an end to the violence".

Update from May 25, 5:12 p.m .:

As reported by

, Joe Biden plans to travel to Texas to get an idea of ​​​​the situation after the killing spree.

Preparations are already being made for this in the White House.

When exactly Biden will arrive is not yet clear.

Update from May 25, 2:54 p.m.:

According to Lt.

Texas Department for Public Safety spokesman Chris Olivarez said all of the deaths and injuries occurred in a single classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

So the shooter barricaded himself in a room, killing two teachers and 19 children, he told CNN, "This just shows you the whole evil of this shooter." During the shooting, officers walked around the school, smashed windows and tried to kidnap children and evacuate employees.

They were then able to enter the classroom where the shooter was.

When asked if school was his original goal, Olivarez said there were "many unanswered questions."

The spokesman went on to say, "We're trying to establish that.

So right now we're working with the FBI to see if there were any indicators by looking at social media.

What we do know about the shooter is that he resided here in Uvalde and attended a local high school.

He lived with his grandparents, was unemployed, had no boyfriends and no girlfriend that we can identify at this time.

He had no criminal record and no gang affiliation.”

Olivarez said his grandmother - who the gunman had previously shot - is still alive and authorities are trying to locate his grandfather and immediate family members.

Location of the affected school in Texas.

© Graphic: S. Stein, Editor: M. Lorenz

Texas elementary school shooting: Senator Ted Cruz opposes tightening of gun laws

Update from May 25, 1:14 p.m .:

Republican Senator Ted Cruz, Texas, described the act to CNN as an “indescribable crime”.

However, he opposes the calls for stricter gun laws that are now being made.

He immediately accused the Democrats of "politicizing" the attack in Uvalde in order to limit the right to own guns.

Cruz claims that strict laws do not prevent such acts.

Instead, it would have to be ensured that the laws were observed more strictly in schools and universities.

"We know from the past that one of the most effective tools to keep children safe is armed law enforcement on campus."

Shooting spree at a US elementary school in Uvalde: The perpetrator first shot his own grandmother

Update from May 25, 12:30 p.m .:

As is now known, the gunman shot his own grandmother before he drove to school.

This was announced by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Little is known about the perpetrator, who was shot dead by the police.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott identified the attacker as 18-year-old Salvador R., who himself lived in the small town of Uvalde west of San Antonio.

After the shots at his grandmother, he fled from her apartment and escaped in a car.

He drove into a ditch near Robb Elementary School.

He got out and went to the school.

Police officers tried in vain to prevent him from entering the building.

At around 11:30 a.m. local time, R. entered the school and opened fire in several classrooms before being shot dead by police officers.

Governor Abbott spoke of a terrible and "incomprehensible" act.

Investigators are now trying to gather "detailed background information" about the perpetrator, his motive and his weapons, Abbot said.

Police believe he acted alone.

It was initially unclear whether he had already dealt with the police in the past.

Uvalde-News: 19 children shot dead in Texas killing spree - parents have to take a DNA test

Update May 25 12:30 p.m.:

The SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center, which is less than two miles from Robb Elementary School, has become the epicenter for families searching for their children.

According to the US TV broadcaster CNN, families gathered in silence for more than twelve hours in front of the center.

At least four families told the broadcaster that parents had been asked for DNA swabs to confirm their relationship to their children and told to wait a full hour for a reply.

A father, who had just received the news of his child's death, fought back tears as several of his cousins ​​hugged him.

A few yards away, a grandmother who traveled from San Antonio said she would not stop praying for her 10-year-old granddaughter while they awaited the results of the DNA swab, CNN further reports.

News about the rampage in Uvalde, Texas: Pope shocked by bloodbath - Scholz and Selenskyj also speak up

Update from May 25, 11:06 a.m .:

Pope Francis is also shocked by the killing spree in an American school with at least 19 children killed.

"My heart is broken after the bloodbath in the elementary school in Texas," said the head of the Catholic Church on Wednesday at the general audience in St. Peter's Square.

"I pray for the children, for the dead adults and for their families." In his short speech, the pontiff demanded that it was high time to stop the "indiscriminate trade in arms".

"We all have to help ensure that tragedies like this don't happen again."

Chancellor Scholz also said on Twitter: "Terrible news reached us this morning from a school in Uvalde, Texas.

Our thoughts are with the injured and survivors of the victims of this incredible massacre, for which words can hardly be found.

Our condolences go out to you, Mister Biden, and our American friends.”

Even Ukraine's President Zelenskyy was deeply saddened "by the news of the murder of innocent children in Texas." He sent sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the people of the US and Biden himself. "The people of Ukraine share the pain the families and friends of the victims and all Americans.”

Stunned by shooting in US elementary school in Texas: pop singer Taylor Swift mourns

Update from May 25, 10:24 a.m .:

Many celebrities are also affected by the dismay at the rampage in Texas.

The US pop singer Taylor Swift (32) addressed her fans with emotional words after the school massacre.

"I am filled with anger and sadness and so broken by the murders in Uvalde.

Through Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others.

By the way we as a nation have been conditioned to unbelievable and unbearable grief," the superstar wrote on Twitter.

Swift also shared a video of Golden State Warriors basketball master coach Steve Kerr.

On Tuesday evening (local time) at a press conference before the playoff game at the Dallas Mavericks, he called for stricter gun controls in the USA in an emotional outburst.

Just like President Biden before him.

The 56-year-old spoke directly to 50 senators who have so far prevented stricter weapons requirements.

Kerr's words are true, "and they cut so deep," Swift wrote.

News about shooting at US elementary school in Uvalde, Texas: Perpetrator message made public on Instagram

Update from May 25, 9:19 a.m .:

Before the killing spree at an elementary school, the perpetrator had apparently informed a minor on Instagram about his act.

From today's perspective, at least, his hints seem clear - once again, a gunman has announced his act in advance on the Internet.

On May 22, an Instagram user posted a photo with two AR-15 rifles under the username “salv8dor_” and tagged the girl, who herself is not from Texas.

She herself made this connection public and wonders if she could have prevented the killing.

"I wish I had at least tried to stop him from committing his crime," she wrote, according to

.

In the chat, the perpetrator first asked the girl to repost the pictures with his weapons.

When asked what she had to do with it, the gunman replied: "I'm about to." The minor asked and only got the answer: "I have a little secret".

Then the chat history ended.

Texas elementary school shooting: Obama angry at gun lobby - mourning for dead children

Update from May 25, 7:44 a.m .:

Former US President Barack Obama expressed his condolences to the relatives after the massacre at an elementary school in Texas and expressed anger at the gun lobby.

"Michelle and I mourn with the families in Uvalde," wrote the 60-year-old on Tuesday evening (local time) on

.

"You are experiencing pain that no one should endure." He and his wife are also angry, added the US Democrat, criticizing the opposition US Republicans in this context.

"Our country is paralyzed, not by fear, but by a gun lobby and political party that have shown no willingness to do anything to prevent these tragedies," Obama said. 

School shooting news in Texas: US President Biden promotes stricter gun laws - 19 dead children

Update from May 25, 6:08 a.m .:

After the attack on an elementary school in the US state of Texas, US President Joe Biden called for tougher action against rampant gun violence.

"When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?" Biden said Tuesday night (local time).

It is high time "to turn this pain into action, for every parent, every citizen of this country".

"I'm disgusted and tired," he added.

"Don't tell me we can't have any say in this slaughter," he said, speaking to Republicans opposed to stricter gun laws.

The flood of weapons in the country, especially assault rifles, must be more tightly regulated.

Meanwhile, the death toll has been revised upwards.

At least 19 students are said to have been killed in the course of the rampage - and two adults.

Update from May 24, 11:44 p.m .:

US President Joe Biden is already informed about the killing spree.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted, "His prayers are with the families affected by this horrific event and he will be making a speech once he is back at the White House tonight."

The President's statement should therefore be made in the coming hours.

Update from May 24, 11:42 p.m.:

According to the school district police chief, the 18-year-old perpetrator acted alone.

Pete Arrondo

also confirmed the perpetrator was dead , according to

Texas elementary school shooting news: 14 kids and one teacher dead

First report from May 24:

A gun attack at an elementary school in the US state of Texas killed 14 children and a teacher.

The attacker was also dead, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday.

The attack happened at an elementary school in the small town of Uvalde, 135 kilometers west of San Antonio.

Shooting spree in the USA: 18-year-old shoots 14 children and a teacher at an elementary school in Uvalde

CNN

also reports, citing the governor, that the perpetrator is an 18-year-old resident of the small town.

"It is believed that he abandoned his vehicle and entered Robb Primary School in Uvalde with a pistol and may have had a rifle, but that has not been confirmed according to my most recent report," the US media quoted him as saying Politician.

Law enforcement personnel gather outside Robb Elementary School after shots were fired here.

Several people have been killed in a shooting spree at an elementary school in Texas.

© Dario Lopez-Mills/dpa

The 18-year-old then shot and killed more than a dozen children and a teacher "in a horrific, incomprehensible manner," Abbott is quoted as saying by the

.

According to the newspaper, a 66-year-old woman and a ten-year-old girl are currently in critical condition.

It is not yet clear how the shooter himself died.

According to Abbott, it is currently believed that officials responded and killed him.

Abbott spoke of two officers wounded but not in critical condition.

kreiszeitung.de also reports on this.