Long Island Police To Step Up Patrol Of Schools After Texas Shooting

LONG ISLAND, NY — Both Long Island police departments said they will be boosting their patrols of all schools in the wake of Tuesday's school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

There are 19 children and two adults dead in the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The gunman was also killed in the shooting. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott identified the shooter as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, of Uvalde. Ramos shot his grandmother before entering the school, according to reports.

Both Long Island police departments said there have not been threats made to either county, but both plan to increase patrols of schools.

“The Suffolk County Police Department offers its deepest condolences to the Robb Elementary School community, as well as the law enforcement officers who responded to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison stated. "This tragic act of violence against children and school staff inside what should be a safe haven is unfathomable and a parent’s worst nightmare. While there are currently no credible threats in Suffolk County, the department is monitoring the ongoing investigation and will be increasing patrols around school buildings out of an abundance of caution.”

Nassau police also released a statement on Tuesday:

"Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder send their condolences to the victims and their families after [Tuesday's] horrific shooting in Uvalde, Texas. While there is no nexus or specific threats to Nassau County, we continue to work with our federal, state and local partners as we continue our assessment. The Police Department is intensifying its patrols around all schools. Residents are reminded to call 911 immediately if they see or hear anything suspicious."

It is believed the Uvalde shooter acted alone, Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District chief of police, said Tuesday afternoon.

Arredondo said the shooting started at 11:32 a.m. Tuesday at a building for second, third and fourth graders and confirmed there were multiple deaths and injuries. All campuses in the district were placed under lockdown.

"My heart was broken today," Uvalde CISD Superintendent Hal Harrell said at a news conference Tuesday night.

The rest of the school year was canceled, including extracurricular activities. Information on graduation will be released at a later time, Harrell said. The last day of school for the district was scheduled for Thursday.