‘Heartbroken’ Kim Kardashian, tearful Madonna, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez lead the stars condemning Texas school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead
- 18-year-old Salvador Ramos went on a rampage and opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 19 children and two teachers
- Reality star Kim, 41, spoke out against gun violence and in favor of more gun safety laws, saying she felt ‘heartbroken, disgusted and furious’
- Madonna also broke her silence on the shooting on Wednesday night as she shared a tearful video with an impassioned lengthy caption
- Selena Gomez, Britney Spears and Taylor Swift were among the others to comment while Chrissy Teigen and Jennifer Lopez also added their thoughts on the tragedy
- James Corden urged legislators to act on gun control during an emotional opening monologue on The Late Late Show
Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez are among the celebrities that have condemned the Texas elementary school shooting.
One day after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos went on a rampage and opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, reality star Kim, 41, spoke out against gun violence and in favor of more gun safety laws, saying she felt ‘heartbroken, disgusted and furious’.
Before being taken down and killed by law enforcement, the lone gunman shot and killed 19 young children, two teachers and wounded 17 others, in what’s the third-deadliest school shooting in the U.S. after the massacres at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.
Speaking out: Kim Kardashian (pictured), Madonna, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez are among the celebrities that have condemned the Texas elementary school shooting
Madonna also broke her silence on the shooting on Wednesday night as she shared a tearful video with an impassioned lengthy caption where she said she ‘couldn’t image the heartbreak’ that the parents of the killed children must feel.
Kim posted a lengthy message on her social media platforms Wednesday, urging political leaders in America to put ‘politics aside and put children first.’
Kim began by highlighting a blog post she had written on gun control five years ago, where she had asked ‘is it more important to protect the second amendment than to protect our own children?’
Impassioned: One day after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos went on a rampage and opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas , the reality star, 41, spoke out against gun violence and in favor of more gun safety laws
Asking herself the same question following the senseless tragedy that took place on Tuesday at an elementary school in Uvalde in Texas, the Kardashians star wrote: ‘I find myself heartbroken, disgusted and furious about how little has been done by law makers to enact gun laws that protect our children.’
‘There is no excuse and no justification for what happened yesterday,’ Kim continued. ‘the current laws in our country around gun control are not protecting our children.’
She added: ‘We have to push law makers to enact laws that are fitting in today’s world.’
The gunman in yesterday’s shooting legally purchased two AR-15 rifles from a store three miles from his home last week after turning 18.
Been here before: Kim re-shared a blog post she had written five years ago, highlighting how little has changed in terms of gun control and mass shooting
He also bought more than 300 rounds of ammunition to use in the attack.
It is a haul that he picked up, somehow, for around $5,000 despite being made fun of for being poor in school.
Kim continued in her post: ‘There are of course people over 21 who buy guns to cause harm, and other mass shootings in recent years have been carried out by people over 21, but if we increase legal age to purchase, coupled with a ban on assault weapons, we can without a doubt reduce the number of senseless tragedies and save children’s lives.’
She added: ‘We can’t accept this as normal anymore. It’s not normal for a teenager to kill children. It’s not normal for our kids to be practicing active shooter drills in schools.’
Change needed now: Madonna, 63, also took to her social media platforms and expressed her anguish and anger over the Texas school shooting and demanded improved gun safety laws
‘It’s not normal to be shot while shopping for groceries. I’m not numbed by it. I will never be numbed by it.’
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday said that there were no known signs that he had mental problems, and that he did not have a criminal record. It remains unclear if he may have had a juvenile record.
Before opening fire at Robb Elementary, the gunman shot his grandmother at their home. He wounded her in the face but she survived and fled to a neighbor’s house where she called police.
At the same time, the shooter stole his grandmother’s car and drove it towards the elementary school. He has no driving experience and crashed into a ditch near the school.
Empathetic: The Like A Prayer star revealed she has children who are elementary school age, and that she didn’t know if she could survive if they didn’t come home one day
Police started shooting him as he got to the school. He managed to make it inside and kill the 19 kids and two teachers who were in a single classroom before he was shot dead himself by a border patrol agent.
Before he shot his grandmother, he posted on Facebook that he planned to kill her.
On social media Madonna shared a haunting video with an impassioned lengthy caption as the emotional backlash following the latest mass shooting in the U.S. grows.
Horror: Gunman Salvador Ramos bought two AR-15 rifles last week after turning 18 on May 16. He used them in the attack to kill 19 kids and two teachers before being shot dead himself
‘I cannot imagine the heartache and heartbreak the parents of these 19 Children must feel,’ the Like A Prayer star began in her lengthy caption, alongside a clip of her tearing up in her music video for God Control, which is off her Madame X album (2019).
‘I have children in elementary school and if they did not come home from school one day I don’t think I could survive.’
With six children in all, Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone) has nine-year-old adopted twins Stella and Estere, as well as 16-year olds Mercy and David, whom she also adopted.
She also has a daughter Lourdes, 25, who she shares with ex-Carlos Leon, and a son Rocco, 21, from her marriage to ex-husband Guy Ritchie.
In continuing her emotional plea, the Michigan native questioned how an 18-year-old boy ‘can purchase 2 automatic Rifles on his birthday with no background check, no safety training, no questions asked?????’
She went on to reveal the warnings the shooter posted on social media about his plans to ‘shoot his grandmother and students in a school.’
With her anguish and anger coming through, she added, ‘The NRA refuses to change its position and legislation cannot get one bill passed that requires tougher fire arm safety laws. In spite of the fact that there have been more gun deaths in America than there are days in this year. How is this possible???’
Madonna then demanded that we ‘protect our children’ and ‘reduce firearm access to people who are at risk of harming themselves or others.’
Devastating: James Corden urged legislators to act on gun control during an emotional opening monologue following the mass shooting in Uvalde
‘We need to Insist on mandatory training for gun owners, the same way we require people to study and pass a test to get a drivers license,’ the seven-time Grammy winner explained, adding, ‘A car is a Potential weapon if not used properly. So is a Gun!!! Hasn’t anyone Drawn this correlation? If we Cant change the constitution we must Beg Law makers to pass Gun Reform NOW!!’
She ended her plea: ‘How tragic is it that we have to Beg to keep all children — All humans Safe from Gun Violence?? No more words action only.’
The video, which shows a choir singing and number of caskets, ends: ‘Haven’t we had enough???,’which is then followed by photos of the latest young victims and images of Madonna taking off her glasses as tears flow down her cheeks.
It concludes with Madonna almost whispering, ‘Wake up’ as each letter is typed out on screen.
Point of view: Selena Gomez said that people in power need to make changes to avoid future instances, directing fans to the anti-gun violence organization Everytown
James Corden urged legislators to act on gun control during an emotional opening monologue following a mass shooting in Uvalde.
The 43-year-old addressed the ‘unfathomable’ tragedy on the Late Late Show.
‘As a father I can’t imagine the horror of that phone call,’ he began. ‘When I drop my kids off at school this morning and kiss them goodbye, it doesn’t cross your mind that that could ever be the last goodbye.’
The British comedian continued: ‘The thought of that phone call — that your child is the victim in a mass shooting — is beyond comprehension as a human being.’
Details: Taylor Swift shared a clip of a vivid statement made by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, questioning political efforts toward gun control in the wake of the latest massacre
‘I’m so deeply sad for the families of these children, the trauma of the survivors and for the future that these kids will never see,’ Corden added.
The Cats actor, who moved to Los Angeles in 2015, went on to ask: ‘I don’t know what has to happen to change things here.’
‘I am constantly shocked by the number of people who must think this is an OK byproduct to never make meaningful changes to gun laws. It doesn’t make sense to me,’ he went on.
Corden also noted he doesn’t believe America’s gun laws are reflection of the country he has ‘always admired.’
Stunned: Kim’s sister Khloe Kardashian pointed out past mass shootings in making an appeal for laws to change
‘You have a problem, you solve it. You’re on the forefront of medicine, of technology, of innovation. When there’s a world war, you are the ones we turn to. Yet on this issue, America is one of the most backward places in the world,’ he remarked.
Corden also pointed out that there have been no school shootings in the U.K., Japan or Australia this year, while there have been 27 in the United States in 2022.
‘Nothing will change. Gun money will continue to get in the way of morality,’ he vented. ‘Words of thoughts and prayers will come from our leaders, but I fear change never will.’
Statement: Kris Jenner described the situation as ‘unimaginable, horrific, inexcusable, devastating,’ and said lawmakers need to ‘stop failing our children’
The Into The Woods star concluded: ‘I hold out hope that this country will eventually wake up and change this senseless gun culture. My heart simply goes out to every single person in Texas tonight.’
Also on Wednesday celebrities including Kim’s siblings Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner reacted in horror to the news.
Like Kim, Khloe urged people in power to ‘do something’ to help protect young lives.
‘I can not comprehend today’s tragedy in our country. 14 children dead. How is this happening. My heart is breaking. I pray, I hope, I beg, I plead.. please law makers, government officials, leads of our country, do something to protect our children,’ she wrote.
Kendall Jenner reposted a shot from the organization Moms Demand Action
Meanwhile Kylie said she was left ‘devastated’ by the tragedy, writing on Instagram: ‘Another school shooting. Devastating. Breaks my heart for these families.’
Kris Jenner described the situation as ‘unimaginable, horrific, inexcusable, devastating,’ and said lawmakers need to ‘stop failing our children.’
Kendall Jenner reposted multiple posts calling for gun control, while Kourtney Kardashian reposted a composite image of the victims and a post urging followers to donate to the gun violence organization Everytown.
Kourtney Kardashian reposted a composite image of the victims and a post urging followers to donate to the gun violence organization Everytown
Taylor Swift shared a clip of a vivid statement made by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, questioning political efforts toward gun control in the wake of the latest massacre.
‘When are we going to do something?’ Kerr said. ‘I am tired. I am so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families out there. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.
‘So I ask you, Mitch McConnell and all of you senators who refuse to do anything about the violence and the school shootings and the supermarkets shootings – I ask you, are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our church-goers?
He continued, ‘Because that’s what it looks like. That’s what we do every week. I’m fed up. I’ve had enough. We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit here and just read about it and say let’s have a moment of silence.’
In response to Kerr, the Grammy-winning songstress wrote on Twitter, ‘Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others.’
Swift added: ‘By the ways in which we, as a nation, have become conditioned to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words ring so true and cut so deep.’
Emotional: Uvalde-born actor Matthew McConaughey said that Americans ‘cannot exhale once again, make excuses, and accept these tragic realities as the status quo’ following the mass shooting in his hometown
Uvalde-born actor Matthew McConaughey said that Americans ‘cannot exhale once again, make excuses, and accept these tragic realities as the status quo’ following the mass shooting in his hometown.
‘Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us,’ the Oscar-winning actor said in a statement on Instagram. ‘The true call to action is now for every American to take a longer and deeper look in the mirror, and ask ourselves, “What is it that we truly value? How do we repeat the problem? What small sacrifices can we individually take today, to pressure a healthier and safer nation, state, and neighborhood tomorrow?”‘
The Dallas Buyers Club actor added that ‘action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured.
‘And to those who dropped their loved ones today not knowing it was goodbye, no words can comprehend or heal your loss, but if prayers can provide comfort, we will keep them coming.’
Upset: Britney Spears said she was praying for victims and their families, and called for change
Spiritual: Musical artist Offset commented on the tragic situation in Texas, calling for prayers
Selena Gomez, another native Texan, asked, ‘If children aren’t safe at school where are they safe? Today in my home state of Texas 18 innocent students were killed while simply trying to get an education. A teacher killed doing her job; an invaluable yet sadly under appreciated job.’
Gomez said that people in power need to make changes to avoid future instances, directing fans to the anti-gun violence organization Everytown.
Britney Spears said in an Instagram post, ‘My heart is shattered. I’m lost for words. My prayers are with the victims of Robb Elementary and their families. Our sympathies and condolences are just not enough.’
Spears added, ‘We have to take action. We need change. Enough is enough. We will keep our prayers coming even if it’s not enough to heal the loss.’
Chrissy Teigen took to Instagram with multiple posts, decrying gun culture and the NRA; and pointing her followers to a gun control organization to donate to.
‘Loving guns this much is f***ing weird,’ she said. ‘It’s not normal. It’s not “fun for the whole family.” It’s f***ing weird.’
Passionate: Chrissy Teigen took to Instagram with multiple posts, decrying gun culture and the NRA
Teigen, citing sentiments from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz – along with a graph depicting the donations he’s collected from the gun lobby – pointed her followers to a gun control organization to donate to
Strong: Jennifer Lopez said she was ‘demanding for law makers to stop the violence that is happening across this country’ and said she was ‘scared’ for everyone amid the series of mass shootings in the past decade
She said of this weekend’s NRA gathering in Houston: ‘F*** everyone going to this “meeting”, f*** the convention center for holding it but most of f***ing all f*** anyone speaking at it for amplifying and touting this gun-loving psychosis as something associated with “freedom” and “fun”. To be clear, it’s weird and you’re f***ing weird.’
She continued, ‘I beg you, if you’re able, please consider donating to @everytown, the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
‘They work tirelessly to end gun violence by doing everything from advocating for safety reforms nationally and locally to supporting survivors of gun violence to actual research on the causes and actual realistic solutions to end these kind of mass shootings, something unique to ONLY US AS A COUNTRY. Please please donate if you can.’
Jennifer Lopez said she was ‘demanding for law makers to stop the violence that is happening across this country’ and said she was ‘scared’ for everyone amid the series of mass shootings in the past decade.
‘Broken-hearted… I’ve been so emotional and crying a lot the since I heard the news about these beautiful children and teachers,’ Lopez said. ‘Along with so many others, I’m demanding for law makers to stop the violence that is happening across this country!!! Our country!!’
She continued: ‘I am so sad and scared for our kids and loved ones. I’m scared for all of us who send our children to school every day or going to grocery store!! My heart goes out to all of those who have been impacted by this unimaginable act!!
‘I can’t think of anything more cruel or diabolical than to target small children. God help us!!! We need some serious change!!! And we need it NOW!!!’
Offset said in a tweet, ‘Prayers for the people in Texas man those are kids that were killed smh this world needs God smh.’
Bethenny Frankel, no stranger to activism toward causes she holds dear, tweeted the phrase, ‘Thoughts, prayers and ACTIONS….’
Singer Halsey noted the tragic frequency of mass shootings, and how they felt the only way to combat it was at the ballot box.
‘It is so difficult to make statements and engage in conversations about lives lost to gun violence and mass shootings because it is so frequent and so horrific,’ Halsey said. ‘But unfortunately it is also a routine news story for this generation and it shouldn’t be. I have nothing of value to add to this conversation because it never seems to move forward. And I don’t think a graphic from a musician is going to do anything but add noise to an already loud discussion.’
‘It’s despicable’: Singer Halsey noted the tragic frequency of mass shootings, and how they felt the only way to combat it was at the ballot box
Speaking out: Nick Jonas called the incident ‘absolutely heartbreaking,’ saying that ‘kids shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence’ and ‘especially shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence at school’
Time to act: Bethenny Frankel, no stranger to activism toward causes she holds dear, tweeted the phrase, ‘Thoughts, prayers and ACTIONS….’
Outspoken: Kelly Osbourne made clear that she believed the issue was directly linked to gun control as opposed to mental health, tagging Texas Governor Greg Abbott into her post
Tragic: Jersey Shore star Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi shared a picture of Xavier Lopez, one of the young victims in the incident
Model April Love Geary took to Instagram Stories with a number of posts condemning the shooting and calling for gun control
The musical artist continued: ‘Just like many of you, as a mother I’m scared. As a big sister I’m scared. As a citizen I’m angry. I can’t think of anything to say besides make sure you’re registered to vote. I just want all school age children to be protected and not grow up in the epicenter of this trauma. It is so futile and revolting that lawmakers protect guns over our youth. It’s despicable.’
Nick Jonas called the incident ‘absolutely heartbreaking,’ saying that ‘kids shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence’ and ‘especially shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence at school.’
He continued: ‘I am sending my thoughts and prayers to everyone who lost a loved one in this horrific tragedy and all of the far too frequent tragedies in the recent weeks, months, and years. But that being said, we all know that thoughts and prayers are not enough.’
Kelly Osbourne made clear that she believed the issue was directly linked to gun control as opposed to mental health reforms, tagging Texas Governor Greg Abbott into her post.
‘I hope @GregAbbott_TX is thinking of the 19 children who lost their lives while he is speaking on behalf of the #NRA this weekend,’ she said. ‘Just to be clear I suffer from mental health. This is NOT just about mental health. THIS IS ABOUT GUN CONTROL!!!!!!!!’
Model April Love Geary took to Instagram Stories with a number of posts condemning the shooting and calling for gun control. In a clip, she broke down into tears as she realized that she forgot to say goodbye to her daughter when dropping her off for school.
‘With all the news that’s happening today, you don’t know,’ she said. ‘I’m sick of these f***ing school shootings … something needs to change, kids shouldn’t be dying in schools … it’s so devastating for these parents who lose their children to gun violence … things have to change.’
Jersey Shore star Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi shared a picture of Xavier Lopez, one of the young victims in the incident. She said, ‘This is absolutely devastating!! These poor innocent children & their families. This needs to end!!!! God bless all of these children unbelievable.’
Strong statement: Iconic singer Madonna posted a clip in response to the massacre
Sad: The singer shed tears following Tuesday’s deadly rampage at a Texas elementary school
Heartbreaking: Madonna posted a composite image of a number of the young victims in the shooting
Upsetting: The clip showed a funeral setting scored to the sound of a young choir
Focused: The iconic singer called for immediate change in gun control laws following the shooting
Iconic singer Madonna put together a clip which featured a composite image of the victims in the shootings scored to the sounds of a choir singing at a funeral. She appeared in the clip shedding tears in the wake of Tuesday’s tragedy.
‘I cannot imagine the heartache and heartbreak the parents of these 19 Children must feel,’ Madonna said. ‘I have children in elementary school and if they did not come home from school one day I don’t think I could survive.’
The Like A Prayer artist also delved into the details of the session, questioning how the shooter was able to obtain the arsenal he used in the massacre.
‘How is this possible that an 18 year old boy, who is a child himself, can purchase 2 automatic Rifles on his birthday with no background check, no safety training, no questions asked?????’ she said. The shooter posted countless warnings on IG and facebook announcing his plans to shoot … his grandmother and students in a school. No one noticed!! No one stopped him. How Is this possible?’
‘If Washington can spend $40billion on Ukraine’s security, why can’t they spend $40billion on American school security?’: Khloe Kardashian shared a quote from Breitbart
‘Dear children of the world, it’s not supposed to be like this’: Jessica Alba shared several Instagram Stories about the tragedy
The singer pointed to political reforms that she says need to be made in the wake of the deadly massacre.
‘The NRA refuses to change its position and legislation cannot get one bill passed that requires tougher fire arm safety laws,’ the Grammy-winner said. ‘In spite of the fact that there have been more gun deaths in America than there are days in this year. How is this possible??? We need to Protect Our Children!! We need to reduce firearm access to people who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
‘If we Cant change the constitution we must Beg Law makers to pass Gun Reform NOW!! How tragic is it that we have to Beg to keep all children — All humans Safe from Gun Violence??’
She ended in saying, ‘No more words action only,’ with the hashtag, #guncontrolnow.
Victims of Uvalde school shooting
The shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas left 19 students and two teachers dead. Here are the victims that have been identified so far:
Fourth grader Alithia Ramirez (left) was confirmed dead early Wednesday by her father, Ryan. Amerie Jo Garza (pictured right with father, Angel), was confirmed dead by her dad Wednesday
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos (left), was confirmed as one of the dead Wednesday by his aunt. His cousin, Jaliah Nicole Silguero (right) was also confirmed as one of the victims early Wednesday, with her mother Veronica Luevanos sharing a memorial post
Uziyah Garcia, nine, (left) and Makenna Elrod, 10, (right) were both confirmed dead by loved ones on Facebook
Xavier Lopez, 10, (left) and Eliahana Torres, 10, (right) was also killed at the school shooting on Tuesday
Ellie Lugo (left) and Nevaeh Bravo (right) were also killed. Ellie was reported as missing for several hours before her parents confirmed her death
Jose Flores, 10 (left), was killed just hours after this photo of him being given an honor roll certificate was taken. Rogelio Torres, right, was also killed
Fourth-grader Tess Marie Mata (left) was confirmed dead by her sister, who described her younger sibling as a ‘precious angel’. Miranda Mathis, 11 (right), was confirmed dead by an elder cousin
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio – who was better known to friends as ‘Lexi’ (left) – was confirmed dead just before midnight on Tuesday. Maite Yuleana (right) was also confirmed dead, having taken a photo with her honor roll certificate just hours before
Jackie Cazares, 10 (left), and Annabell Rodriguez, also 10 (right), who were cousins, were confirmed dead by relatives on Wednesday
Layla Salaza, 10, was the last of the victims to be confirmed dead by her father, who paid tribute to her late Wednesday
Irma Garcia (left) and Eva Mireles (right), who co-taught fourth grade, were both shot and killed at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday
America’s worst school shootings
There have been dozens of shootings and other attacks in U.S. schools and colleges over the ye#ars, but until the massacre at Colorado’s Columbine High School in 1999, the number of dead tended to be in the single digits. Since then, the number of shootings that included schools and killed 10 or more people has mounted. The most recent two were both in Texas.
ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, May 2022
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 14 children, one teacher and injuring others, Gov. Greg Abbott said. The shooter died.
SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL, May 2018
A 17-year-old opened fire at a Houston-area high school, killing 10 people, most of them students, authorities said. The suspect has been charged with murder.
MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL, February 2018
An attack left 14 students and three staff members dead at the school in Parkland, Florida, and injured many others. The 20-year-old suspect was charged with murder.
UMPQUA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, October 2015
A man killed nine people at the school in Roseburg, Oregon, and wounded nine others, then killed himself.
SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, December 2012
A 19-year-old man killed his mother at their home in Newtown, Connecticut, then went to the nearby Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 20 first graders and six educators. He took his own life.
VIRGINIA TECH, April 2007
A 23-year-old student killed 32 people on the campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, in April 2007; more than two dozen others were wounded. The gunman then killed himself.
RED LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, March 2005
A 16-year-old student killed his grandfather and the man’s companion at their Minnesota home, then went to nearby Red Lake High School, where he killed five students, a teacher and a security guard before shooting himself.
COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL, April 1999
Two students killed 12 of their peers and one teacher at the school in Littleton, Colorado, and injured many others before killing themselves.
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