Texas elementary school shooter bought weapons, hinted at shooting

In the hours after an 18-year-old man killed 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school, more details about the shooter have come out. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) identified the shooter Tuesday as Salvador Ramos, a resident of Uvalde, where the shooting happened.

According to Lt. Christopher Olivarez with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Ramos barricaded himself inside a single classroom and “began shooting anyone that was in his way.” A motive for the shooting was not immediately released.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he had been briefed by state police, said Ramos had hinted on social media that an attack could be coming, suggesting that “kids should watch out.” Other state senators said Ramos legally brought two AR-style rifles just days before the attack, and shortly after he turned 18.

According to Sen. John Whitmire, one of the guns was purchased at a federally licensed dealer in the Uvalde area on May 17. Ramos bought 375 rounds of ammunition the next day, then purchased the second rifle on May 20. On that day, an Instagram account appearing to belong to the gunman shared a photo of two AR-style rifles.

“The idea that an 18-year-old kid can walk into a gun store and buy two assault weapons is just wrong,” President Joe Biden said in a Tuesday night address on the Texas elementary school shooting. “What in God’s name do you need an assault weapon for except to kill someone? Deer aren’t running through the forest with Kevlar vests on, for God’s sake.  It’s just sick.”

After the shooting, officers found one of the rifles in Ramos’ truck, and the other in the school. Ramos had also dropped a backpack containing several magazines full of ammunition near the school entrance.

“Just goes to show you the intent by having that type of weapon, also multiple, you know, ammunition with him as well,” Olivarez said on NBC’s Today. “Shows the intent of this evil person going into this school and having complete disregard for human life.”

Olivarez revealed Wednesday the Texas elementary school shooter was wearing a tactical vest. However, the vest had no hardened body-armor plates inside, and Ramos was eventually shot and killed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.