21 killed in Texas shooting; Off-duty Philly officer killed in crash; Baby formula set to arrive in Pa.

THE RUNDOWN: 

1. Texas school shooter bought 2 rifles days after turning 18, 'no known mental health history,' Abbott says

UVALDE, Texas - The gunman who massacred 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school legally bought two AR-style rifles just days before the attack, soon after his 18th birthday, and seemed to hint online that something was about to happen.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the gunman had "no known mental health history," and a criminal history had not been identified either. He said there was "no meaningful forewarning of a crime," beyond private messages on Facebook shortly before the attack on Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in the small town of Uvalde, population 16,000.

About a half-hour before the bloodbath, the shooter, Salvador Ramos, sent three messages online, Abbott said. Ramos wrote in the first that he was going to shoot his grandmother, then that he had shot the woman, and finally that he was going to shoot up an elementary school, according to Abbott. It was not clear whether Ramos specified which school.

Ramos sent private, one-to-one text messages on Facebook that were "discovered after the terrible tragedy," company spokesman Andy Stone said. He said Facebook is cooperating with investigators.

Ramos shot and wounded his grandmother, then fled the scene, crashing his truck near the school and entering the building, authorities said. Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety told CNN that all the victims of the attack were in the same fourth-grade classroom. 

The killer "barricaded himself by locking the door and just started shooting children and teachers that were inside that classroom," Olivarez said. "It just shows you the complete evil of the shooter."

Law enforcement officers eventually broke into the classroom, and a Border Patrol agent killed the gunman. Police and others responding to the attack also went around breaking windows at the school to enable students and teachers to escape.

Abbott said Wednesday that 17 others were hurt — including three officers — but that their injuries weren’t life-threatening. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke later interrupted Abbott's press conference, calling the shooting "totally predictable."

"This is on you until you choose to do something," O’Rourke said at one point after the governor finished speaking. "You're doing nothing." O’Rourke was quickly escorted out of the room. 

The dead included an outgoing 10-year-old, Eliahna Garcia, who loved to sing, dance and play basketball; a fellow fourth grader, Xavier Javier Lopez, who had been eagerly awaiting a summer of swimming; and a teacher, Eva Mireles, with 17 years' experience whose husband is an officer with the school district’s police department.

"I just don’t know how people can sell that type of a gun to a kid 18 years old," Eliahna’s aunt, Siria Arizmendi, said angrily through tears. "What is he going to use it for but for that purpose?"

Investigators did not immediately disclose a motive. But in chilling posts on social media in the days and hours before the massacre, an account that appeared to belong to Ramos displayed photos of his guns and seemed to indicate something was going to happen.

The attack in the predominantly Latino town of Uvalde was the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012.

The bloodshed was the latest in a seemingly unending string of mass killings at churches, schools, stores and other sites in the United States. Just 10 days earlier, 10 Black people were shot to death in a racist rampage at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket.

In a somber address to the nation hours after the attack in Texas, President Joe Biden pleaded for Americans to "stand up to the gun lobby" and enact tougher restrictions, saying: "When in God’s name are we going to do what has to be done?"

But the prospects for any reform of the nation’s gun regulations appeared dim. Repeated attempts over the years to expand background checks and enact other curbs have run into Republican opposition in Congress.

Days before the attack, an Instagram account investigators say apparently belonged to Ramos posted a photo of a hand holding an ammunition magazine. On the day Ramos bought his second weapon last week, the account carried a photo of two AR-style rifles.

In that post, Ramos apparently tagged another Instagram user, one with more than 10,000 followers, asking her to share the picture with her followers.

"I barely know you and u tag me in a picture with some guns," replied the Instagram user, who has since removed her profile. "It’s just scary."

On the morning of the attack, the account linked to the gunman replied: "I’m about to."

Instagram confirmed to The Associated Press that it is working with law enforcement to review the account but declined to answer questions about the postings. Investigators are also looking at a separate account on TikTok, possibly belonging to the shooter, with a profile that reads: "Kids be scared IRL," an acronym meaning "in real life." The profile is not dated.

Officers found one of the rifles in Ramos’ truck, the other in the school, according to the briefing given to lawmakers. Ramos was wearing a tactical vest, but it had no hardened body-armor plates inside, lawmakers were told. He also dropped a backpack containing several magazines full of ammunition near the school entrance.

One of the guns was purchased at a federally licensed dealer in the Uvalde area on May 17, according to state Sen. John Whitmire. Ramos bought 375 rounds of ammunition the next day, then purchased the second rifle last Friday.

Dillon Silva, whose nephew was in a nearby classroom, said students were watching the Disney movie "Moana" when they heard several loud pops and a bullet shattered a window. Moments later, their teacher saw the attacker stride past the door.

"Oh, my God, he has a gun!" the teacher shouted twice, according to Silva. "The teacher didn’t even have time to lock the door," he said.

In the aftermath, families in Uvalde waited hours for word on their children. At the town civic center where some gathered Tuesday night, the silence was broken repeatedly by screams and wails. "No! Please, no!" one man yelled as he embraced another man. On Wednesday morning, volunteers were seen arriving with Bibles and therapy dogs.

Staff members in scrubs and devastated victims’ relatives could be seen weeping as they left Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where many of the children were taken. Three children and an adult were being treated at a San Antonio hospital, where two of them — a 66-year-old woman and 10-year-old girl — were listed in serious condition.

2. George Hughes case: Body found at auto body shop owned by missing man, police say

BROOMALL, Pa. - A body has been found at the auto body shop owned by a man missing from Delaware County, police say. 

The family of George Hughes says he was last seen leaving his business, Broomall Auto Body, on May 16 and hasn't been seen since. 

A customer reported spotting Hughes near the Giant in Edgemont Square Shopping Center between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m on the last day he was seen. 

His family and friends gathered in Delaware County on Sunday to search for him and his sister says disappearing is not in his character. She also says he was struggling with a recent death in the family, but he was focused on getting back to business after COVID-19. 

Marple Police tell FOX 29's Kelly Rule that a body in clothes matching the description of what Hughes was last seen wearing was found at the shop. 

Investigators say they are unable to confirm the identity of the body and an autopsy will be conducted to make an official identification and determine a cause of death. 

3. Police: 3 killed in separate daytime shootings in Philadelphia 

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say three people were killed in two different shooting that happened minutes apart Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia. 

Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 3000 block of Ella street just before 2 p.m. for reports of a shooting.

Police say a 44-year-old man was shot at least seven times and a 40-year-old man suffered a lethal gunshot wound to the head. 

The younger victim was pronounced dead on the scene and the second victim was taken to Temple University Hospital where he died, police said. 

Minutes later, in Philadelphia's Nicetown-Tioga section were called to the 1600 block of West Erie Avenue where police say a 20-year-old man was shot to death. 

The victim, whose name has not been reported, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

No arrests have been reported in either deadly shooting. Authorities have not shared a possible motive for the violence. 

4. Pennsylvania third graders taken to hospital after eating candy that contained THC, police say

CHESTER, Pa. - The CEO of Chester Community Charter School (CCCS) released a statement on Tuesday warning the school community of a drug-related issue that left a number of children hospitalized. 

On Tuesday morning, a CCCS student reported to a school official that a number of students had eaten candy that was believed to contain THC, a product of marijuana, according to CEO, Dr. David E. Clark, Jr. 

According to Chester police, third grade students ate edibles that were brought in by another student. 

The students who ingested the candy were quickly identified and transported to a local hospital. School officials say that all the students' guardians were made aware of the situation. 

"There are predators out there who are packaging drugs in a way that targets unknowing children," Dr. Clark said in the statement released on Tuesday. 

School officials say that all the students affected are in stable condition and are being monitored by medical professionals. 

An adult is expected to be charged tomorrow for the edibles, according to Chester police. 

Dr. Clark asked the community to respect the families' privacy and warns parents to be on the lookout for products disguising harmful substances. 

"Parental vigilance is the first step in protection of our children," said Dr. Clark. 

This occurrence is being actively investigated by school and local authorities. 

5. Police: 2 suspects fire more than 30 shots, kill man walking his dog in Kensington

PHILADELPHIA - A man is dead after being shot and killed while walking his dog in Kensington, according to police. 

Authorities say the incident happened just after 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. 

Officers with the 24th District responded to numerous 911 calls reporting gunshots and a shooting at Frankford Avenue and E Atlantic Street, police say. 

According to Chief Inspector Scott Small, when police and medical personnel arrived on scene, they found a man on the grond with multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body. 

Medics transported him to Temple Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:55 p.m., per authorities. 

The victim's identity remains unknown, but neighbors told police he is known to the area, according to Small. 

Police say when the victim was found, he was still holding on to a leash with his dog attached. 

6. Absecon police shooting: Man shot by officers facing gun charges as family speaks out

ABSECON, N.J. - The family of a man shot by police in Absecon on Tuesday morning is speaking out and calling for transparency in the investigation. 

Jalial Whitted's mother, Kim Whitted, says her son has struggled with mental health issues for several years and noted that this is not his first incident with police. 

The 37-year-old father of two was shot by police officers from the Absecon and Pleasantville Police Departments around 9:40 a.m., authorities say. 

According to police, the man was inside the Dollar General store on the 700 block of New Road when he displayed a firearm and discharged at least one round, causing the store employees to flee. 

Investigators say once outside the store, he refused to listen to officer commands and reached for the weapon in his front pocket. Authorities also say the moments he was inside the store were captured on surveillance video.

After being shot, Whitted was transported to AtlantiCare Medicals City Campus Trauma Center to be treated for his injuries while remaining in police custody, according to officials. 

Authorities say he has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and related charges. 

The South Jersey Chapter of the civil rights group National Action Network (NAN), founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, is working closely with the family and held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. 

Steven Young from NAN South Jersey said the organization is requesting a meeting with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and the Attorney General's Office. 

They also want the names of the officers who shot Whitted to be released in an effort to promote transparency. 

The man's family says he is in critical condition and they have put in a request with the prosecutor's office to see him in the hospital. 

Kim Whitted, who spoke at the press conference, says her son began displaying signs of a mental health episode and ran out of their Absecon home. 

As she drove around the city, she said she heard police sirens before hearing gunshots as she approached the Dollar General store. 

Whitted's family described him as a "good person" who is more frightened by others than they should be of him. 

They also say that he needs mental health and drug programs and not jail. 

7. Weather Authority: Clouds on the increase into Thursday, with possible showers

After a Chamber of Commerce picture perfect Wednesday, the Delaware Valley is set to see changes over the holiday weekend and the unofficial start to summer.

Clouds are on the increase overnight into Thursday and the region could see some spotty showers Thursday, as well, FOX 29’s Scott Williams says. Temperatures should be comfortable overnight, in the mid 50s.

Thursday will see temperatures reach into the upper 60s to lower 70s across the area, ahead of possible severe weather Friday.

For the latest forecasts and conditions, download the FOX 29 Weather Authority app.

The holiday weekend will start warm, but there is a slight severe weather risk, with timing that could start late Friday afternoon. The main threat looks to be damaging winds and heavy rain. There could also be flash flooding concerns.

It will be cooler at the Jersey shore, with temperatures Friday and Saturday reaching the upper 60s, with scattered storms Friday and leftover showers Saturday. The second half of the weekend looks better, at this stage, with a mix of clouds and sun and temperatures topping out both Sunday and Monday in the lower 70s. There is also a moderate rip current risk.