Police Increase Presence At Loudoun Elementary Schools After Texas Shooting

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Students, parents, and staff may notice an increased police presence at Loudoun County elementary schools for the next few days, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities said there would be more deputies at schools over the next several days in the wake of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Authorities said there was no specific threat to Loudoun County schools. Instead, the decision to increase police presence was to elevate the peace of mind for the school community after a gunman killed 19 children in Uvalde on Tuesday.

"In light of the horrific shooting at Robb Elementary School and as we grieve with the City of Uvalde, Texas and the nation, #Loudoun residents will see an increased LCSO presence at elementary schools in the county to ensure that our community feels safe in their schools," the sheriff's office said on Facebook. "Although there is no connection to Loudoun County and no known threats, the increased presence is being conducted in an abundance of caution over the next several days."

In a letter to the community, Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent Scott Zeigler said the increased security presence would continue for a few days.

"Like you, I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas," Ziegler wrote. "School should, and must, be a place where students and staff feel safe and secure."

Ziegler also referred families to several resources for students who needed assistance coping with the tragedy. Unified Mental Health Teams would be available at Loudoun schools, and additional resources are available online.

In total, 19 students and two adults were killed at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, authorities have confirmed. Police said the gunman shot his grandmother before opening fire on the children.

Read more: Texas School Shooting: 19 Children Killed In Uvalde

The shooting is the deadliest at a U.S. elementary school since the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012. It comes four years after a gunman killed 10 people in a shooting at Santa Fe High School in the Houston area.