The first photo of the 18-year-old gunman who killed at least 19 children and two adults during a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Ulvade, Texas has been revealed. Police earlier identified the man who “horrifically and incomprehensibly” carried out the shooting as Salvador Ramos, a student at a local high school.
- Ramos left cryptic hints about his plans on social media. According to state Senator Roland Gutierrez’s statement to police: “He suggested the kids should watch out.” He is also said to have sent a message to someone he didn’t know on Instagram saying “I’m about to” prior to the shooting.
- He shot his grandmother too. Before going to Robb Elementary, Ramos is said to have shot his grandmother, though she managed to survive the assault and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt Erick Estrada told CNN.
- Ramos is believed to have had multiple weapons. Authorities say he abandoned his car outside the school after crashing into the gates. He then entered the school grounds with a handgun and a rifle. He was said to have been wearing body armor at the time of the attack. “The suspect made entry into the school and as soon as he made entry into the school he started shooting children, teachers, whoever’s in his way,” Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety told local media outlets.
- Ramos was obsessed with guns. Authorities say buying the guns he used for the shooting was the first thing he did when he turned 18. One of Ramos’ Instagram friends said he’d been sent a photo by Ramos showing the receipt for a gun he’d bought from manufacturer Daniel Defense, according to The Daily Dot. A former classmate added that Ramos had bragged about his guns and ammunition days before the attack, saying: “He would message me here and there, and four days ago he sent me a picture of the AR he was using… and a backpack full of 5.56 rounds, probably like seven mags. I was like, ‘Bro, why do you have this?’ and he was like, ‘Don’t worry about it,'” the student said. “He proceeded to text me, ‘I look very different now. You wouldn’t recognize me.'”
Ramos was shot dead by officers who responded to the scene of the attack.
