At least 19 children and 2 adults were killed in a shooting at a Texas elementary school

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The nation is in mourning after a shooting at a Texas primary school that killed more than a dozen young people, the united community is shocked and the country is in mourning.

An unspeakable tragedy occurred on Tuesday: at least 19 children were killed at the school, and a shooting took place in the small Texas town of Uwalde, just 90 minutes from San Antonio. Two adults were also killed.

The suspect who allegedly shot the people was identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a high school graduate from Uwalde. He was killed after being shot by border guards.

President Biden addressed the nation on Tuesday night, minutes after arriving from a foreign trip to Asia, became emotional, called for action and demanded an end to senseless gun violence.

“I’m tired of it. We have to act. And don’t tell me we can’t influence this massacre,” Biden said.

On Tuesday night, hearses began arriving at Rob Elementary School to begin removing the bodies.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the alleged shooter drove up to the school with a handgun, an AR-15 submachine gun and high-capacity magazines.

Police say a suspected gunman entered the school and started shooting at children and teachers.

Eventually the gunman was shot dead by the officer in charge. Police say he allegedly critically shot his grandmother before heading to school property.

“We are in the process of obtaining detailed background information on the subject, its motives, the types of weapons used, the legal authority to possess them and to conduct a comprehensive investigation and reconstruction of the crime scene,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Two officers who responded to the attack were injured but are expected to survive.

Students at the school were supposed to celebrate their last school day on Thursday, but classes were canceled by the end of the year.

Over the years, dozens of shooting attacks have taken place in American schools and colleges, the latest here involving Rob Elementary School.

Other recent cases include:

• The 2018 attack at Margery Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killed 14 students and three staff members
• 20 first-graders and six educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Country, in 2012.
• In 2007, 32 people were killed on the Virginia Tech campus
• Twelve students and one teacher were killed at Columbine High School in Littleton, California in 1999.

This latest case in Uwalde marks the 30th school shooting, which will take place in 2022.

Hours after the shooting in Texas, several fervent requests were made, including on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) became emotional when he asked his colleagues to find common ground.

“And I ask my colleagues: find a way forward here. Work with us to find a way to pass laws that make this less likely,” Murphy said.

Senator Murphy’s speech was a heavy reminder of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Here in Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh public school officials on Wednesday made a decision for students late at night.

District leaders say schools will work on the changed lock mode on Wednesday as a precaution.

This means that only people with a pre-scheduled appointment will be allowed into any facilities.

On Wednesday morning, families and staff will be notified of the changed lockout through a car call.

In addition, faculty and staff will have materials to help them during discussions with students, and additional support will be available to those who need it.

The county said they had a broken heart with a horrific tragedy and “By no means should peace at school be the nightmare he has today.”

District leaders also say they think of the victims, their loved ones and the school community as they fight the tragedy.

When parents across the country learn about the news of a school shooting in Uwald, many do not understand how to talk about it with their children, and many of these children feel their fears and anxieties because of it.

This is a difficult time for everyone across the country, and for parents there is a fine line between honesty and what causes more fear and anxiety.

One of the first questions that students may have after they heard and saw the news of 21 people killed in a shooting at the Uwalde school: “Why?”

Experts say there is no direct answer to this question, but what you can do as a parent is to test your child’s feelings and then listen to what they have to say.

Instead of worrying about dangers, take a “half-hearted” approach and give examples of things that support safety in schools.

It’s also a good time to work on developing life skills, such as making sure your child knows what to do during an active shooting situation.

Joan Kaylar is a consultant who works with children. She talked to KDKA and talked about the best way to interact with your children.

“Be present for your child. Hang up. Do not cook. Do nothing more. And be present and give the child time so you can talk to the child about how he is feeling. The most important gift you can give your child is your time, ”Kaylar said.

It is also important to make sure you know which schools teach your children safety issues.

Experts say the more your child knows, the better.

Stay tuned to CBS News for the latest details of development from Texas after the deadly shooting at school.

If you or someone you know needs help or someone to talk to, there are people on the National Crisis Line who are ready to help, who can be contacted 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-273-8255.