19 kids and two teachers have died in the mass shooting in Texas. Here are their stories.

19 children and two teachers have been killed in a shooting at a Texas elementary school, in the latest in a surge of mass gun violence sweeping the United States. 

State Governor Greg Abbott said the suspect, an 18-year-old local man who has also died, opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, about 137 kilometres west of San Antonio.

"He shot and killed, horrifically, incomprehensibly, 14 students and killed a teacher," the governor said earlier before further deaths were confirmed. 

The gunman abandoned his vehicle and entered the school through a back door around 11.30am (local time) on Tuesday carrying an AR-15 assault-style rifle and wearing tactical gear. 

There is an active shooter at Robb Elementary. Law enforcement is on site. Your cooperation is needed at this time by not visiting the campus. As soon as more information is gathered it will be shared.

The rest of the district is under a Secure Status.

— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 24, 2022

He barricaded himself inside a single classroom and "began shooting anyone that was in his way", authorities say.

Police and others responding to the attack went around breaking windows at the school to enable students and teachers to escape, said Lieutenant Christopher Olivarez, of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The killer "barricaded himself by locking the door and just started shooting children and teachers that were inside that classroom", he said on Wednesday. "It just shows you the complete evil of the shooter."

Law enforcement officers eventually broke into the classroom and killed the gunman.

He also allegedly shot his grandmother before attacking the school. She survived and called police.

The school consisted of children in the second, third and fourth grades, according to Pete Arredondo, chief of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Department

In US schools, those grades are typically made up of children ranging from seven to 10 years of age.

The incident is the 27th school shooting, of over 200 mass shootings to take place in the US this year.

It unfolded just 10 days after 10 people were killed in shooting in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and 10 years after the infamous 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that killed 26 people including 20 children.

As more details continue to come to light, here's what we know about the Texas school shooting.

The victims of the shooting. 

At this stage, 20 of the 21 victims have been publicly identified.

A 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl remain in a critical condition at University Hospital in San Antonio.

Uziyah Garcia, eight.

Uziyah Garcia has been remembered as "the sweetest little boy".

"I’m not just saying that because he was my grandkid," Garcia’s grandfather told the Associated Press. 

Uziyah last visited his grandfather in San Angelo during spring break.

“We started throwing the football together, and I was teaching him pass patterns. Such a fast little boy, and he could catch a ball so good. There were certain plays that I would call that he would remember, and he would do it exactly like we practiced.”

Image: AAP.

Amerie Jo Garza, 10.

Amerie Jo Garza had just turned 10, two weeks ago, her father told ABC News. 

"Thank you everyone for the prayers and help trying to find my baby," her father wrote in a statement to ABC News. "She's been found. My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don't take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo. Watch over your baby brother for me."

Her grandmother says she bravely tried to call 911 as the shooting started. 

Image: Facebook

Jose Flores, 10

10-year-old Jose Flores was also killed in the shooting. His famiy is yet to release further details.

Image: Facebook.

Xavier Lopez, 10.

The family of 10-year-old Xavier Lopez have confirmed his death in the attack. 

His mother told The Washington Post she had just been at the school to see her son participate in an honour roll ceremony. The last thing she told him was that she was proud. 

"He was funny, never serious and his smile… that smile I will never forget,' she recalled after learning of his death from police. 'It would always cheer anyone up," she said.

Makenna Lee Elrod, 10.

Makenna Lee Elrod was confirmed dead by her elder sister. 

"My sweet innocent baby sister… my heart will forever break for you my love… I love you with my whole heart kenna wenna. Have fun with your angels up in heaven baby girl," she wrote on Twitter.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up for the family.

Image: Social media.

Tess Marie Mata.

Tess Marie Mata also lost her life. 

Her sister mourned her death on Twitter writing, "My precious angel you are loved so deeply. In my eyes you are not a victim but a survivor. I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher then you could ever dream. Till we meet again Tess Marie, love your big siss [sic]."

Her Facebook shows she loved gymnastics and her cat. 

Image: Twitter.

Annabelle Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10.

Annabelle Guadalupe Rodriguez's family confirmed she died alongside her cousin, Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares, in the shooting.

Annabelle Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10. Annabelle’s father Jesse found out the horrible news. "I was working, and I got info that my daughter was at the school where they were shooting, and I waited for more details. Now I’ve come back looking for my daughter, I can’t find her now." pic.twitter.com/Qv6L4aVpfq

— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) May 25, 2022

Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares, 10.

Jacinto Cazares, was Annabelle's cousin, and is remembered for having "the biggest heart". 

"She had the biggest heart. Jackie was the one that would go out of her way to help anyone. It gives me some comfort that she would be the little cracker that would have done something to help her classmates in that very scary scenario," her father told ABC. 

Jackie Cazares, 10. Jackie was killed along with her cousin Annabelle Rodriguez. They were cousins, friends and classmates in their fourth grade class. “She was outgoing; she always had to be the center of attention,” Aunt Polly Flores said. “She was my little diva.” #Uvalde pic.twitter.com/s232XMQlV0

— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) May 25, 2022

Rogelio Torres, 10.

10-year-old Rogelio Torres has also been identified as a victim. 

"Thank you for the prayers and for trying to help find my cousin. It breaks my heart to say my Rojelio is now with the angels I’ll forever miss you and love you my angel," his cousin wrote on Twitter. 

Familiares me confirman que Rogelio Torres, de 10 años, es otra de las víctimas mortales que deja la masacre en #UvaldeTX. Vuela alto 💔 pic.twitter.com/hxEAAhLwqZ

— Tamara Mino (@MinoTamara) May 25, 2022

Ellie Garcia, 10,

10-year-old Ellie Garcia was another life lost in the shooting. 

Her father has thanked everyone "for their prayers from all across the world" following her death. 

"This has been the worst thing that’s ever happened to myself and family and I say family because they have been with me since it all popped off… I’m hurt I’m sad but my Ellie will live forever!!!" he wrote on Facebook. 

Image: Facebook. 

Nevaeh Bravo.

Nevaeh Bravo was confirmed dead in a Facebook post from by her cousin. 

"Thank you everyone for the prayers, our Nevaeh has been found! She is flying with the angels above. We love you Nevaeh very much princess! Please everyone continue to keep her parents and our family in your prayers," she wrote. 

Image: Facebook/Emily Grace Ayala.

Eliahana Cruz Torres.

Eliahana Cruz Torres's grandfather confirmed her death to ABC.

She is remembered as an avid baseball player and "a beautiful young girl with a lot of energy". 

Eliahana Cruz Torres, 10. Eliahana Cruz Torres was a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary who was looking forward to her softball game Tuesday, where she was hoping she would be named to the All-Star team. Her death was confirmed Tuesday night. #UvaldeMassacre pic.twitter.com/EzKN6GLj59

— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) May 25, 2022

Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11.

Jailah Nicole Silguero, who died alongside her cousin, was confirmed dead in a Facebook post by her mother. 

"Why why why my baby… Fly high baby grandma n grandpa are with their arms wide open for baby… We’re going to miss you so much my wera Chula my lil side kick [sic]," she wrote. 

Jailah loved to dance and film videos on TikTok.

Image: Facebook/Veronica Luevanos.

Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10.

Jailah's cousin, Jayce Carmelo Luevano, also died in the shooting. 

In a separate Facebook post, Jailah's mother wrote, "Fly high my angels… We’re going to miss y’all so much."

Image: Facebook/Veronica Luevanos.

Alithia Ramirez, 10.

Alithia Ramirez's father confirmed his daughter’s death on Facebook by sharing a photo of her with angel wings as his profile photo. 

Earlier, he posted a photo of Alithia on Facebook writing, "Trying to find my daughter Alithia. I called all the hospitals and nothing."

Image: Facebook/Ryan Ramirez.

Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, 10. 

Alexandria Aniyah Rubio's mother said she told her daughter "we loved her and would pick her up after school", in a post on Facebook.

"My beautiful, smart, Alexandria Aniyah Rubio was recognised today for All-A honour roll. She also received the good citizen award. We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school. We had no idea this was goodbye," the post reads. 

Image: Facebook/Kimberly Mata-Rubio.

Maite Rodriguez, 10.

Maite Rodriguez has been remembered as a "sweet baby girl" in a GoFundMe page set up a family member. 

"It is with a heavy heart I come on here on behalf of my cousin Ana who lost her sweet baby girl in yesterday's senseless shooting we are deeply saddened by the los[s] of this sweet smart little girl. Donations for funeral expenses as well for time away from work to allow her to grieve her los[s] anything helps. God bless and may she R.I.P Maite Rodriguez we love you."

Image: GoFundMe.

Miranda Mathis, 11. 

Miranda's cousin confirmed her death in a Facebook post after only hours earlier posting a desperate plea for help in locating her. 

"My sweet baby cousin we loved u dearly,' Deanna Miller wrote. 

"I'm so sorry this happen to u baby please keep my family in your prayers."

Image: Facebook.

 Eva Mireles, 44.

Fourth-grade teacher Eva Mireles was the first victim to be identified. 

According to Robb Elementary School's website, Eva worked as an educator for 17 years and loved running and hiking. 

In a statement, Eva's aunt, Lydia Martinez Delgado, said she was "furious that these shootings continue".

"These children are innocent. Rifles should not be easily available to all. This is my hometown, a small community of less than 20,000. I never imagined this would happen to especially loved ones ... All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools, and especially the families of all," she said in a statement, according to the ABC.

Image: Family supplied.

Irma Garcia, 46. 

Irma Garcia, who co-taught alongside Eva Mireles, was the second adult to die in the shooting. 

The 46-year-old was a mother of four children and had been teaching for 23 years, according to her school profile. 

Irma's nephew wrote on Facebook, "My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, I beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers, IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO." 

Image: Robb Elementary School

How leaders have responded. 

US President Joe Biden has delivered an emotional call for new restrictions on firearms following the shooting. 

"When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?" a visibly shaken Biden said at the White House.

"I am sick and tired. We have to act... It's time we turned this pain into action."

Biden went on to say the loss of a child "is like having a piece of your soul ripped away". 

"There's a hollowness in your chest. You feel like you're being sucked into it and [you're] never going to be able to get out."

Biden earlier met with victims' families after a hate-motivated shooter killed 10 people at a grocery store in Buffalo.

The back-to-back tragedies served as sobering reminders of the frequency and brutality of a US epidemic of mass gun violence.

"These kinds of mass shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world," Biden said. "Why?"

These kinds of mass shootings rarely happen elsewhere in the world.

Why are we willing to live with this carnage? Why do we keep letting this happen? Where in God’s name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with it?

It’s time to turn this pain into action.

— President Biden (@POTUS) May 25, 2022

Fromer President Barack Obama and Senator Chris Murphy have also called for immediate action against gun violence.

Across the country, parents are putting their children to bed, reading stories, singing lullabies—and in the back of their minds, they’re worried about what might happen tomorrow after they drop their kids off at school, or take them to a grocery store or any other public space.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 25, 2022

Senator Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT): "The 14 kids dead in an elementary school in Texas right now. What are we doing? What are we doing? Just days after a shooter walked into a grocery store to gun down African American patrons we have another Sandy Hook on our hands." pic.twitter.com/IALrVON2mV

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 24, 2022

After news broke of the shooting, a 2015 tweet by Governor Greg Abbott, who gave a press conference about the shooting, has gone viral. 

In it, Abbott mocks Texas for buying fewer guns than California. 

I'm EMBARRASSED: Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind CALIFORNIA. Let's pick up the pace Texans. @NRA https://t.co/Ry2GInbS1g

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 28, 2015

The suspect has been identified.

The shooter has been identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, who has also died. Authorities say he acted alone.

Investigators believe Ramos shot his grandmother before going to the school.

"It is being reported that the subject shot his grandmother right before he went into the school," Abbott told reporters.

"I have no further information about the connection between those two shootings."

NEW: A driver’s license photo of Salvador Ramos — the reported gunman who killed at least 18 students and a teacher at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX — today. Ramos is dead, according to @GovAbbott. The death toll could increase. MORE: https://t.co/G8UijZtwZx @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/Rug9wvlNJh

— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) May 24, 2022

A woman has since shared her Instagram conversation with Ramos from reportedly the morning of the attack. 

According to screenshots of the conversation, Ramos tagged the woman in a photo of guns and asked her if she would repost it. 

"Be grateful I tagged you," he told the woman, who claims she is a stranger. 

"No it's just scary..." she later responded. 

Ramos went on to say he has a "lil secret" to share. 

"I wanna tell you," he wrote. 

Image: Instagram.

The woman replied saying, "I might be taking a nap cause [sic] I'm really sick but if I'm awake I will". 

She later wrote in a now-deleted Instagram story that she knows "nothing" about Ramos and she 'wishes she stayed awake' to try and talk him out of the shooting. 

"He decided to tag me in his gun post. I’m so sorry for the victims and their families, I really don’t know what to say."

"The only reason I responded to him was because I was afraid of him. I wish I stayed awake to at least try to convince him to not commit his crime. I didn’t know."

Ramos also posted on social media that he was going to shoot up an elementary school about 15 minutes before his rampage, said Abbott. 

Abbott said he also wrote a message saying he was going to shoot his grandmother and another one confirming he had done so. 

This article was originally published on May 25, 2022, and was updated on May 26, 2022. 

- With AAP. 

Feature Image: Family Supplied/AAP/Twitter/Facebook.