A shooting occurred in Uvalde, Texas on Thursday in Memorial Park, located in the city’s downtown, around 5:30 p.m. San Antonio-based KSAT reports that “authorities confirmed after 8:30 p.m. four suspects are now in custody.”
The Uvalde Police Department issued a statement this evening confirming “two juveniles are being treated at San Antonio hospitals due to injuries sustained; their condition is unknown at this time.”
Journalist Tony Plohetski of KVUE and the Austin American-Statesman initially tweeted that “as many as six, but possibly as few as two people, have been shot in Uvalde’s downtown Memorial Park,” citing Sen. Roland Gutierrez. KSAT’s John Paul Barajas also said “anywhere between 2-6 people were hit by gun fire.”
CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano was on the scene and wrote that “witnesses tell me this was not a mass shooting situation, it was more like a ‘personal rivalry situation.’”
The Texas Department of Public Safety alleged gang activity in its post just after 8 p.m., saying, “We are working with the Uvalde Police Department and Sheriff’s Office following a suspected gang related shooting at Memorial Park.”
Gov. Greg Abbott shared a statement leaning into the alleged gang-related nature of the shooting.
“I was outraged to learn that gang violence has endangered the Uvalde community and innocent Texans this evening. … After speaking with the mayor and the county judge about the immediate need for more law enforcement support, I have directed the Department of Public Safety to conduct patrol operations in the gang hotspots, send an additional six DPS trooper units to work around the clock, and begin coordinating an anti-gang effort with the city,” the Republican stated. “Working with the Uvalde Police Department and Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, DPS is also deploying Special Agents to target the five gangs operating in Uvalde. … Gang violence has no place here in Texas, and we will bring the full force of justice down on these heinous criminals.”
It’s been less than four months since 21 people, 19 of whom were children, were murdered in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. The May 24 tragedy resulted in widespread criticism of law enforcement’s response, accountability for which is still being meted out.
