Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on Tuesday (May 31) for the City of Uvalde, according to a press release issued by the governor's office.
The declaration comes exactly a week after a male gunman barged into the city's Robb Elementary School and opened fire, killing 19 students and two teachers. Law enforcement, in turn, fatally shot the suspect, 18-year-old Uvalde resident Salvador Ramos.
The governor's office said that the declaration will speed up all available state and local resources to help the people of Uvalde, a South Texas city of 16,000 some 84 miles west of San Antonio.
“The community of Uvalde has been left devastated by last week’s senseless act of violence at Robb Elementary School and should not have to encounter any difficulty in receiving the support needed to heal,” Abbott, a Republican, said in the release. “This disaster declaration frees up the many resources available through the State of Texas and local jurisdictions to continue providing much needed support to all who were impacted and work in the community unencumbered by regulations unnecessary to respond to this tragedy. All of Texas stands with Uvalde, and we are prepared to provide support through all available means.”
Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported that the declaration allows the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to continue to operate a family resource center that provides mental health services and other resources.
According to the station, the first few of the 21 funeral services have begun earlier this week.
Abbott has been in Uvalde assessing the situation, foregoing an in-person appearance at the National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual meeting in Houston during the Memorial Day weekend but instead recorded a video message that was viewed by attendees.
A few press conferences of the governor's have been interrupted by state Democratic politicians, Austin Journal reported.
Abbott's gubernatorial challenger Beto O'Rourke shouted at the governor at a presser the day after the shooting while State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) disrupted the one held last Friday (May 27), per the publication.
O'Rourke was escorted out while Gutierrez apologized and left on his own.