'Deeply Saddened': Santa Clara County Superintendent On Texas Shooting

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Santa Clara County Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan called the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas that killed 19 children and two teachers “another unthinkable tragedy” that "has schools and communities alarmed and deeply saddened" in a letter to the community on Wednesday.

Dewan wrote that the Santa Clara County Office of Education extended its sympathies to the victims, families and community of Robb Elementary School.

"Gun violence is a threat to the safety of children and youth, our school campuses and communities," Dewan said. "Creating safe spaces for youth to learn and thrive is our highest priority. The continued promotion of dialogue between educators, parents, and community members around violence prevention is essential as we work to ensure safe learning environments for all students."

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Dewan said the the priority for the county is to "create safe spaces for youth to learn and thrive."

The gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers barricaded himself inside a classroom and opened fire, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson said in an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show" on Wednesday morning. The children and teachers who were killed were all in the same classroom.

"The continued promotion of dialogue between educators, parents, and community members around violence prevention is essential as we work to ensure safe learning environments for all students," Dewan said. "We will keep the lives of those lost at Robb Elementary School and their families in our hearts and minds."

A vigil is planned Wednesday evening in Foster City.