sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is outraged by his reaction to the shooting in Uvalde that left 15 dead, including 14 elementary school students.
Police say an 18-year-old gunman acted alone and is also dead.
Uvalde is a town of 15,000 about 80 miles west of San Antonio.
“Heidi and I fervently lift the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde,” Cruz said in a tweet. “We are in close contact with local officials, but the precise details are still unfolding. Thanks to heroic law enforcement officers and first responders for their swift action.”
However, Cruz’s feelings were quickly refuted by many who accused him of hypocrisy. Cruz received more than $300,000 in campaign donations from gun lobbyists during his last senatorial campaign in 2018, more than $80,000 more than the next closest candidate.
Cruz released a statement that expanded on his social media post.
“Today is a dark day. We are all completely sick and heartbroken,” Cruz said. “Right now 15 innocent people are dead. 14 were children. Others are still in critical condition or otherwise injured, and we are all praying for each of them.”
“We’ve seen too many of these shootings,” Cruz added. “No parent should bear the pain of burying their child. We must come together, as one nation, and support Uvalde as they seek to heal from this devastating loss.”
Cruz, fellow Senator John Cornyn and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are scheduled to speak Friday at the National Rifle Association’s 2022 annual meeting in Houston.
