Rockets issue statement on deadly Texas elementary school shooting

In a statement, the Houston Rockets and Fertitta family (team ownership) expressed devastation at the “unspeakable tragedy” in Uvalde, Texas, where over a dozen elementary school students were shot and killed.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Uvalde community,” Tuesday’s team statement reads. Uvalde is located approximately 80 miles west of San Antonio.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez said 18 children and three adults were dead based on a state police briefing, he told the Associated Press. Three people wounded in the attack are hospitalized in serious condition, he said. Updated information on the tragedy is available at usatoday.com.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott identified the deceased gunman, who was reportedly killed by law enforcement, as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. He killed his grandmother before heading to the school with two military-style rifles he had purchased on his birthday, Gutierrez said.

Four years ago, the Rockets and Fertitta family took an active role following a deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School. Prior to Game 5 of the 2018 Western Conference finals, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta donated 300 tickets to the high school’s senior class and first responders, while the school’s choir performed the U.S. national anthem.

The team raised $100,000 for a memorial fund, as well. Santa Fe is located approximately 40 miles to the southeast of downtown Houston.

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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire