The suspected gunman was shot dead at the scene.
21 people have died, including 19 children, following a mass shooting in an elementary school in Texas.
The horrific incident occurred at Robb Elementary School in the town of Uvalde on Tuesday (24 May).
The school's population consists of second, third, and fourth graders, or children between the ages of seven and 10.
Local police confirmed that the suspected gunman was shot dead at the scene, and that it appeared as though he acted alone in the course of the shooting.
"Our community has experienced a terrible tragedy," said Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
"We must come together to console one another and respect the privacy of the families. Please keep all families in your prayers.
"School has been canceled for the rest of the school year for our students. This includes all extra-curricular activities for Wednesday and Thursday."
President Joe Biden described the shooting as "horrific" in a press conference, calling for stricter gun measures to be implemented.
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1529261342011670535?s=20&t=u-6E4nOlIxdQBT2jszwM2w
"These kinds of mass shootings rarely happen elsewhere in the world," Biden said.
"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.
"Tonight, there are parents who will never see their child again. Parents who will never be the same.
"To lose a child is to have a piece of your soul ripped away forever.
"I ask the nation to pray for them — to give them strength in the darkness.
"As a nation we must ask: When in God’s name will we stand up to the gun lobby?
"When in God’s name will we do what needs to be done?
"I’m sick and tired of it. We have to act."
Featured Image - Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images
