UVALDE, Texas (NewsNation) — Police are investigating a shooting that happened at Uvalde Memorial Park at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Uvalde’s police chief tells NewsNation two juveniles were shot at the park. They are being treated for their wounds at San Antonio hospitals. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
Those suspected to be responsible for the shooting are still at large. Suspect descriptions have not yet been released.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is helping Uvalde police with the investigation. DPS classified the act of violence as a suspected gang-related shooting but said the information they have is preliminary.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement, expressing his anger over the “gang shooting.”
“I was outraged to learn that gang violence has endangered the Uvalde community and innocent Texans this evening. I immediately called Mayor McLaughlin and County Judge Mitchell to offer the state’s full support and resources as law enforcement hunts down the gang members,” Abbott said.
Abbott said following his conversations with the mayor and the county judge about a need for more law enforcement support, he ordered the Department of Public Safety to patrol gang “hotspots,” send six additional trooper units to work around the clock and deploy DPS special agents to target five major gangs running in Uvalde. Abbott is also pushing for an anti-gang effort to begin in Uvalde.
“Thank you to all local and state law enforcement and first responders who swiftly went into action to protect their fellow Texans,” Abbott said. “Gang violence has no place here in Texas, and we will bring the full force of justice down on these heinous criminals.”
The Uvalde Police Department issued a warning urging people to avoid the area of the park due to the shooting investigation. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Uvalde Police Department’s Criminal Division at 830-278-9147.
Uvalde is home to Robb Elementary School, where the shooting massacre that left 21 people dead took place in May.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will be posted here.