At least 18 children and two adults were slain by a gunman at a Texas elementary school

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Erick Estrada, the number of victims confirmed murdered in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, has grown to 20.

According to CNN, the dead include 18 children between the ages of 7 and 9, as well as two adults. The shooter has also passed away.

Estrada also revealed new information on the circumstances leading up to the heinous massacre at Robb Elementary School, located 85 miles south of San Antonio.

The gunman, who has been identified as an 18-year-old male resident of Uvalde, shot his grandmother at her home before driving toward the school in a large, dark truck, according to calls to law authorities starting about 11:20 a.m. local time. He lost control of the vehicle and slammed it into a ditch near the little campus.

He was observed departing the truck carrying "some sort of firearm," a bag, and wearing body armor, according to callers. According to Estrada, the attacker entered the school through a south-facing door and began shooting.

It's unclear whether the shooter had a specific target or targets in mind when he opened fire.

According to a Department of Homeland Security official, US Border Patrol agents were among the law enforcement officers who arrived, exchanging gunfire with the gunman who had barricaded himself inside. One Border Patrol agent has been injured.

According to a Border Patrol official, the suspect was shot and killed by a border patrol agent.

Around 600 kids in the second, third, and fourth grades attend the school. At least one of the adult casualties was a Robb Elementary School teacher. According to the school's website, Thursday was supposed to be the last day of the school year.

The horrific shooting occurred only ten days after a white gunman opened fire at a Tops store in a Black Buffalo area. In that tragedy, ten persons were slain.

President Biden believes it is past time for legislators to confront the gun lobby.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House on Tuesday night, saying, "I had hoped when I became president I would not have to do this – again."

"Another bloodbath. Texas, Uvalde. It's a primary school. Second, third, and fourth students are lovely and innocent. And how many small children saw what happened — seeing their classmates die as if they were in a war, for God's sake? They'll have to live with it for the rest of their days "he remarked, sighing heavily.

Biden added, looking exhausted and frustrated: "What struck me was how unusual such horrific shootings are in other parts of the world. Why?"

"They have issues with their mental health. Other countries have domestic conflicts. There are persons who are missing, but mass shootings do not occur with the frequency that they do in America. Why? Why are we willing to put up with this?"

"As a nation, we have to ask, when in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?" he said, sternly addressing those who continue to impede gun control reform measures.

"When in the name of God will we do what we all know we need to do?" Before adding that there had been over 900 incidences of gunshot documented on school grounds in the ten years since the terrible killing at Sandy Hook Elementary, which occurred when Biden was vice president.

He declared, "We must act." "And don't tell me we can't make a difference in this bloodbath."

After major shootings, Democrats have campaigned for gun control policy changes for the past two decades, but they have struggled to gain the votes needed to pass the Senate, with Republicans adamantly opposed.

To memorialize the victims, Biden ordered that flags at the White House and other government facilities be flown at half-staff.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared the state to be in mourning.

"After parents drop their children off at school, they expect to be able to pick them up when the school day is done," Abbott said.

"Right now, there are families in sorrow, and the state of Texas is mourning with them for the reality that these parents will not be able to pick up their children."

The remainder of the school year has been canceled, according to Superintendent Hal Harrell. He told reporters Tuesday evening, "My heart was broken today." "Because we are a tiny community, we will need your prayers to get through this."

Officials at University Memorial Hospital in Uvalde said two people were dead on arrival. Injured victims are still being treated, and some have been moved to San Antonio. They did not provide any other information regarding the deceased.

Thirteen children were taken to the hospital, with two of them being sent to San Antonio, which is more than 80 miles away.

A 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old daughter were also flown to San Antonio's University Hospital. The woman is in critical condition, according to the hospital.