U.S. News
Texas school shooting: Grandfather of gunman speaks out [Video]
- The grandfather of the teenage gunman suspected of shooting up an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, has spoken to the media.
- Rolando Reyes said that his grandson rarely spoke and that he had no idea he purchased firearms.
- Reyes apologized to the victims and their families, saying that most of the kids were his friends’ grandchildren.
Rolando Reyes, the grandfather of the teenage gunman accused in the deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, in Uvalde, Texas, spoke with ABC News about how little he knew about his grandson before the tragedy.
Reyes, 72, told ABC News‘ Matt Gutman that his earlier criminal background doesn’t allow him to have a weapon at home.
He added, “I don’t like weapons. I cannot be around weapons. I hate when I see all the news, all those people that get shot.”
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the teenage gunman, Salvador Ramos, purchased semi-automatic rifles on May 17 and May 20, just after he turned 18 on May 16.
Reyes said that he had no idea his grandson purchased the firearms and how he did it, adding that he would have reported it to the authorities had he known about his grandson’s purchase. He said that Ramos did not have a driver’s license and did not know how to drive.
The gunman is also accused of shooting his grandmother, Reyes’ wife, at their home in Uvalde. She is now hospitalized in critical condition. He then took his grandparents’ car, drove to the elementary school, and opened fire, killing 19 students and two teachers. He was later shot and killed by responding officers.
Reyes said he had only learned from a neighbor that his wife had been his shot, presumably by his grandson, who “had taken off.”
He added, “It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
According to Reyes, the suspect had been staying with them for the past few months after a falling out with his mother.
Reyes said that he didn’t suspect a thing since his grandson was very quiet. He said that the teenager did not attend school this past year and would instead accompany him to his work sometimes.
The suspect’s classmates at Uvalde High School also told ABC News that he rarely attended classes. But they noticed unusual behavior from him, such as claiming to have cut scars onto his face and threatening classmates.
Reyes said he did not see any unusual signs on the morning of the shooting. He only knew that his grandson had a minor argument with his grandmother over the payment of a phone bill but nothing more significant than that.
Source: Aol.com
Richard L. Newcomer
May 26, 2022 at 6:41 pm
Biden has not been overly alert as to what is going on but he always has time to blame the guns. He needs to resign and put into a retirement home and sedated.
Sean Rickman
May 26, 2022 at 7:31 pm
I have no doubt that the leftists will push this as a weapons problem,it’s not,it’s a totally screwed up society problem.This country has a lot more unstable mental and depression problems now than we had under President Trump because of the stress biden and his”GOONIES”have put on our citizens with their totally insane agenda that most people cannot afford.Wake up liberal,socialist,democRATS and take our country back to the TRUMP years,your agenda totally SUCKS!!!!!!!!
Donna Hurley
May 27, 2022 at 7:54 am
Biden is taking our Country into the great global reset. He wants us defenseless, hungry, and powerless. He will use any example to make that happen. We must fight back, stand strong and continue to wake those up who refuse to see how terrible our lives will be if he accomplishes this. How was this shooter able to purchase those weapons without an ID?
Thomas
May 27, 2022 at 9:54 am
Another senseless shooting parents wake up don’t be afraid of your kids get involved know what there doing push back we have given in to easy parenting by giving them what they want without making them earn I believe violent games are bad influence on are kids spend time with your kids
Anna
May 28, 2022 at 4:44 am
Keep school and classroom doors locked. One door in one door out. Metal detectors. Banks and airports have them. Train volunteer school staff to use a weapon. Install a panic button in classrooms directly to the police so students don’t need to use their CELL phones to get help. Arm security guards. Pay attention to internet activity and take threats made seriously. Monitors for school ground surveillance. Why must there always be talk of taking guns away from law abiding citizens who’s need to defend themselves is becoming increasingly apparent. Criminals will always find a way to obtain firearms. There are so many possible deterrents to these horrific school massacres that need to be put into play. Now.
tj
May 28, 2022 at 7:36 am
Anna, these are very good suggestions ,I would also like to ask where you be when you are ask to pay for these ideas in more taxes and this money is taken from other important programs. I agree with former comments that many of our problems are or can be related to Covid (quarantine isolations) as well as many Social idealists creating separations in gender, ethnicities, social and economic grades. We are also showing the effects of former generations philosophy of me, me ,me
Anna
May 28, 2022 at 3:41 pm
How bout using some of the covid relief money that never went to covid relief. Or some of the useless studies like the reproduction of frogs in the Amazon. How bout some of the money BLM raised to buy houses for their personal use and to employ members of their families. The government can always seem to print more money for other things. What’s more important than children. How bout all your tax money going to all the illegals pouring across the border. Or the money the government is spending so addicts can safely shoot up. Please be for real!!!!
MY OPINION
May 28, 2022 at 8:38 pm
ON THE LONG HAUL: KIDS SHOULD STOP WATCHING THOSE INSANE “hollywood” MOVIES THAT PROMOTE VIOLENCE………… :/