Texas gunman was inside school for 40 minutes | First Thing
More information has emerged on the deadly school shooting, including a timeline. Plus, Walmart apologizes for selling Juneteenth-themed ice-cream
Don't already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here
Good morning.
A Texas gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers this week was inside the school for about 40 minutes before being killed by border patrol agents. Conflicting reports have emerged about the law enforcement response in the crucial moments after the 18-year-old shooter entered the building.
Border patrol agents had trouble breaching the classroom door and had to get a staff member to open the room with a key, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told the Associated Press.
Witnesses described a scene of desperation, with officers gathering outside the school but not entering the building. Go in there! Go in there!" a nearby woman reportedly shouted at the officers soon after the attack began, but they did not.
The father of a fourth grader who was killed raised the idea of running inside himself when he thought law enforcement was not going to act.
Continue reading...