LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada officials expressed sympathy for the families who lost children in Tuesday’s mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Clark County School District issued this statement:
The Clark County School District extends its support to the community of Uvalde, Texas.
Schools exist to provide places of learning, consistency, normalcy, and safety for our students and communities. We must do everything we can to protect these spaces from those who seek to do harm, disrupt, and desecrate.This unfathomable event impacts students, educators, staff, and administrators across the country who care deeply about the health and well-being of every student.
Clark County School District Media Relations Department
Safety remains a top priority for all school districts, including here in southern Nevada. CCSD continues to review, assess and address the security of our schools to provide a conducive learning environment for students and a positive work environment for our staff. CCSD Police officers and local law enforcement partners continue to provide a high level of service to our schools as they do every day.
The Clark County School District Police Department said “We will have as many officers as possible out tomorrow,” indicating officers from Metro, North Las Vegas and Henderson would also be showing a presence. That plan was in place prior to Tuesday’s shooting in Texas, according to a CCSDPD statement. Wednesday is the last day of the school year for CCSD.
Gov. Steve Sisolak tweeted, “Our hearts are broken – again. Kathy and I are sending our love and our prayers to the Uvalde community in Texas in the aftermath of this horrific shooting.”
The 18-year-old gunman was a resident of the community and entered the school with a handgun, and possibly a rifle, and opened fire, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He said the shooter was likely killed by responding officers but that the events were still being investigated. The head of school police in Uvalde said the gunman acted alone.
“We can’t imagine the pain the families in Uvalde, Texas are experiencing,” according to Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman’s tweet. “The loss of these innocent lives is beyond comprehension. We are horrified, and may their souls Rest In Peace.”
Members of Nevada’s congressional delegation also spoke.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Nevada’s senior senator, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. “Paul and I are praying for the victims and their loved ones during this time of unimaginable pain. Children should be safe in this country. Everyone should be safe in this country. We must protect people from this senseless violence.”
Fellow Sen. Jacky Rosen also had a reaction:
“The news of a deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas is horrifying and absolutely heartbreaking. No child should be afraid to go to school. No parent or community should ever experience this kind of pain,” Rosen, D-Nev., said on Twitter.
U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., also had a comment: “Absolutely horrific. I am praying for the children, teachers, staff, and their families. We cannot let this continue to be normal. We have to muster the courage to honor their lives with action to end gun violence.”
Aaron D. Ford, Nevada’s top law enforcement official offered this:
“I’m the Attorney General of NV, & I’ll do everything in my power to continue strengthening safe gun practices. It’s the right thing to do: for the families who can’t tuck their kids into bed tonight, for those affected by gun violence, & for the future well-being of our society. We’ve been through this too many times. 14 students and a teacher died today from gun violence. Public servants like me must redouble efforts to repair what is broken in the world. That means ensuring the wrong people don’t have access to lethal weapons. Not now. Not ever. I’m the proud father of three sons and a nephew, and I am heartbroken and sickened by this horrific school shooting. My prayers are with the parents, families and friends forced to hold this unspeakable tragedy in their hearts. But we all know that prayers are not enough.”
County Commissioner Justin Jones tweeted, “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those whose lives were senselessly taken by gunfire today. My scorn and disgust goes out to all those who have fought against sensible, bipartisan firearm measures, even when children are murdered.”