'We Cannot Allow Schools To Become Places Of Fear And Tragedy': MOCO Reacts To Uvalde

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Montgomery County Police officers will be "continuously checking on" MOCO school buildings following the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, the department said.

At least 19 children and two adults were killed during the shooting at Robb Elementary School, the Texas Department of Public Safety told news outlets. The shooter, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos of Uvalde, was also killed, police said.

"We know in the wake of this event, Montgomery County school parents, like all parents around this nation, are going to be concerned for their own child’s safety and welfare," said County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. "Please know that our police and school system will be working together to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our school community."

Uvalde students were scheduled to have their last day of school this week.

"As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I understand that this is a parent’s worst nightmare," said Elrich. "It has been nearly a decade since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, and it is unfortunate that we are going through this sort of pain once again, but this might have been avoided if we had taken action back then."

Elrich said that following mass shootings there are often calls for change and gun control, but said that so far it has not resulted in real action.

Related Stories:

• Texas School Shooting: What We Know About Uvalde Victims
• Texas School Shooting: Gunman Killed 19 Kids, 2 Teachers In Same Class

"Violence in any form is intolerable," the Montgomery County Board of Education said in a statement. "Violence against children and those who are called to teach, serve and protect them, in the place they are meant to be the most safe, is unbearable."

"Tonight we hold our children extra close as we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ending senseless gun violence and to providing for the safety, security and wellbeing of our entire school community," the board continued. "Together we are committed to the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Each of us has a role to play in ending the violence that has again, stolen our peace, and shortened young and innocent lives too soon."

The County Council said that gun violence is a "plague on our nation," and said that leaders must continue to work on the state and federal level to limit access to guns.

"We cannot allow schools to become places of fear and tragedy," the Council said in its statement.

"I hope that the sadness, anger, and frustration from today’s tragedy will bring action and legislation at the national level– thoughts and prayers are not enough," said Elrich.

Resources for Parents

• American Psychological Association (APA): Helping your Child Manage Distress In The Aftermath Of A School Shooting
• National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Your Children About Violence
• Commonsense Media: Explaining The News To Our Kids
• Commonsense Media: How To Talk To Kids About School Shootings