Olivia Rodrigo, Missy Elliott, Taylor Swift and more call for gun control laws after Texas shooting

Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Offset, Missy Elliott, Lauren Jauregui and more figures from the music world have condemned Tuesday’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two adults dead.

The gunman was also shot dead, reportedly by a lone Border Patrol officer - though the events are still being investigated, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia have been named as the teachers killed in the shooting.

The school has just under 600 students from five to 11 and Uvalde is a predominantly Latino town of about 16,000 people.

Irma Garcia's nephew tweeted that "she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom" and "died a hero". Four of the children killed have been named as Uziyah Garcia, Xavier Javier Lopez, Amerie Jo Garza, Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez - all aged 9 or 10.

Abbott explained that the gunman, identified as Salvador Ramos, entered the Texas elementary school with a handgun and possibly a rifle after exchanging fire with authorities outside and having earlier shot his grandmother. Ramos had hinted on social media about an attack and "suggested the kids should watch out", according to Senator Gutierrez, who said he'd been briefed by police.

The latest horrific act of gun violence in the United States was the deadliest shooting in a U.S. grade school since the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, according to Associated Press. The incident also follows the recent shooting of elderly Black people at a Buffalo supermarket.

Following the heartbreaking news, a number of public figures have taken to social media to express outrage over the lack of gun control in the country, demand change from lawmakers and mourn the loss of 21 innocent lives.

Speaking to a Los Angeles crowd last night, Olivia Rodrigo called for stricter gun control laws, saying she was “devastated” by the news from Uvalde.

“I wish we would never have to worry about our safety or our lives at places that are dedicated to our learning and growing,” Rodrigo said during her performance at the Greek Theater. “And I’m so heartbroken that this is the reality that we’re living in — and we need stricter gun control laws in America.”

Taylor Swift also broke her Twitter silence to comment on the senseless killings.

“Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others. By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak.”

"By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak," she added, sharing an emotional clip of Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr delivering a speech calling for stricter gun laws. "Steve's words ring so true and cut so deep," the Grammy Award-winner concluded.

Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others. By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words ring so true and cut so deep. https://t.co/Rb5uwSTxty

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 25, 2022

Others who tweeted tributes and poignant messages calling for change include Missy Elliott, Lauren Jauregui, Matthew McConnaughey (Uvalde is his hometown) and rapper Offset.

14 babies bro. 14.

— PRELUDE (@LaurenJauregui) May 24, 2022

We living in some TRYING TIMES… It’s Heavy…😞I am praying for everyone that is struggling MENTALLY/FINANCIALLY/PHYSICALLY that some PEACE be RESTORED! So many in the world is dealing with pain & I don’t have the answers but I send you LOVE virtually💜🙏🏾

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 25, 2022

Prayers for the people in Texas man those are kids that were killed smh this world needs God smh

— OFFSET (@OffsetYRN) May 24, 2022

Bette Midler referenced "pro-life" politicians who are overturning Roe v Wade only to allow senseless gun murder by blocking background checks for gun buyers in the Senate and House.

We living in some TRYING TIMES… It’s Heavy…😞I am praying for everyone that is struggling MENTALLY/FINANCIALLY/PHYSICALLY that some PEACE be RESTORED! So many in the world is dealing with pain & I don’t have the answers but I send you LOVE virtually💜🙏🏾

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 25, 2022

LeBron James, The Chainsmokers, Grammy winner Jon Batiste, lauv and more also tweeted their thoughts and criticism of the NRA.

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of love ones loss & injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX! Like when is enough enough man!!! These are kids and we keep putting them in harms way at school. Like seriously "AT SCHOOL" where it's suppose to be the safest!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 24, 2022

Our hearts go out to those in texas at the Robb elementary school and everyone effected. Something has to change in this country. We are the only country where kids go to school and could wind up shot.

— THE CHAINSMOKERS (@TheChainsmokers) May 24, 2022

We need to make some changes now

— jon batiste (@JonBatiste) May 24, 2022

jesus fucking christ. no more.

— Lauv (@lauvsongs) May 24, 2022

President Joe Biden expressed exasperation at "another massacre" and said it was "time to act" as he addressed the nation.

"When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?" he said. "Why are we willing to live with this carnage? Why do we keep letting this happen?"

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who represented the Sandy Hook area at the time of the notorious school shooting in 2012, implored colleagues to act on gun violence.

He said: "What are we doing? There were more mass shootings than days in the year. Our kids are living in fear".

Sen. Chris Murphy delivers remarks on Uvalde, Texas elementary school shooting: “What are we doing? What are we doing?…This only happens in this country and nowhere else. Nowhere else do little kids go to school thinking that they might be shot that day." https://t.co/Zh3OvUaIwm pic.twitter.com/TjJVoaFbRN

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 24, 2022

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