Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reacted to Friday's deadly high school shooting in his state by saying legislators need to do less talking and take more action in the wake of tragedies such as this one.
"We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families. It's time that we take action to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated ever again in the history of the state of Texas," Abbott said.
A 17-year-old student walked into Santa Fe High School early Friday morning armed with a .38 revolver, a shotgun, and explosive devices. He reportedly entered a classroom and started firing.
He was soon encountered by two armed school resource officers, one of whom was shot, and was eventually arrested after gunfire was exchanged. Ten people were killed — many of them students — and 10 others were wounded.
Abbott said he will form a coalition of all stakeholders involved in preventing shootings like this one, which will include lawmakers, parents, teachers, school administrators, Second Amendment supporters, and others.
"We want to hear from everybody that has an interest in what has happened today so we can work together on putting together laws that will protect Second Amendment rights and make sure our schools and communities are safer places," Abbott said.
The governor also revealed more details about the shooting during his press conference, saying there were indications that the suspect planned to kill himself at the end of his rampage.
"We also know that the shooter has information contained in journals on his computer and cell phone that he said that not only did he want to commit the shooting, but he wanted to commit suicide after the shooting. As you probably know, he gave himself up," Abbott said.
"He admitted that he didn't have the courage to commit suicide."
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