Beto O'Rourke explains why he confronted Gov. Greg Abbott over Uvalde school mass shooting_freckle mole removal
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Greg Abbott48th governor of Texas since 2015
Beto O'Rourke said he sat in the auditorium Wednesday at Uvalde High School intent on just listening as Gov. Greg Abbott spoke about the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.
Abbott, joined on the stage by the state's top GOP political leaders, explained what happened when a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, May 24.
After Abbott paused at the end of his 19-minute update, O'Rourke stood up and walked to the stage. He said he felt compelled to confront Abbott because he didn't acknowledge why the shooting happened.
"You said this is not predictable," O'Rourke said. "This is totally predictable when you choose not to do anything. ... I'm standing up for the people of the state to stop this from happening again."
O'Rourke was escorted out of the auditorium, but on his way out, he paused again to address Abbott.
"This is on you until you choose to do something different," said O'Rourke, a Democrat who is challenging Abbott in the November election. "This will continue to happen."
The mayor of Uvalde angrily shouted for O'Rourke to leave, even as people in the audience chanted, "Let him speak."
In an interview late Wednesday evening, after meeting with the family of one of the children killed, O'Rourke doubled down on his claim that Abbott refuses to do anything meaningful to reduce mass shootings in Texas.
"The governor today said that this was totally unpredictable," O'Rourke said. "This is the most predictable event in Texas. I can predict this will continue to happen. It'll be some other school, some other Walmart, some other movie theaters, some other church, in some other city until we decide that we've had enough."
'They're so young:' A grandfather mourns 10-year old Jayce Luevanos, among the victims
Six mass shootings have occurred in Texas since Abbott was elected governor in 2014. Over 90 Texans, including schoolchildren and people shopping at a grocery store or attending Sunday service, have been killed in mass shootings. Scores have been wounded in the attacks.
(editor:)
- Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza announces retirement, joins Toronto's front office
- Canada's Felix Auger
- 1st hurricane of 2022, Agatha heads for Mexico tourist towns
- American Hockey League suspends player 30 games for making 'racial gesture'
- Lethbridge man's rainbow house has become a symbol of joy and LGBTQ solidarity
- U.K. rescuers dangle sausage from a drone to save stranded dog
- Russia Goes After British MP’s Son for Killing of Chechen Commander in Ukraine
- Man paid his brother a motorcycle to kill his ex
- Kim Kardashian Was DTF Pete Davidson Because of His Big Dick Energy Rumors
- Republicans Mock Newt Gingrich Over Threat Of 'Jail' For Jan. 6 Panel
- A couple woke up to find a dog snuggled in bed with them. It was not theirs
- Julia Fox Wears Red Leather Dress & Kim Kardashian’s Mirror Boots in Paris With Kanye West
- Kim Kardashian Was DTF Pete Davidson Because of His Big Dick Energy Rumors
- This teacher raised $100K to keep students from going hungry over winter break
- The popular Bowflex kettlebell is on sale at Amazon
- The popular Bowflex kettlebell is on sale at Amazon
- Dutch reporter cut off on
- Naomi Campbell shares heartfelt tribute to André Leon Talley
- Explaining the Joe Rogan Spotify controversy
- 'Snake oil salesmen' advised Trump on 2020 election, Pence aide says