Tennessee lawmakers are speaking out on social media after a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, unfolded on Tuesday that has since left 22, including the gunman, dead.

“Maria and I are heartbroken by the horrific tragedy in Uvalde, Texas and join the nation in mourning the loss of innocent lives,” Governor Lee wrote on Twitter. “We lift up their families in prayer and thank all the first responders who acted quickly.”

“Roberta and I are heartbroken to learn of the shooting at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas,” Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08) wrote on Twitter. “We are praying for the victims, their families, and the community. Thank you to all first responders and law enforcement on the scene.”

“What happened today in Texas was demonic and pure evil,” Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) wrote on Twitter. “Please join me in praying for the innocent lives lost and the families that will have to endure this tragedy forever.”

“Horrified and heartbroken to learn of the significant loss of life in the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Please join me in lifting their loved ones up in prayer,” Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to the local first responders working on the scene.”

“The horrible news out of Uvalde, Texas, is gut-wrenching. 14 innocent and precious lives lost—it’s unspeakable,” Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) wrote on Twitter immediately following the breaking news reports. “We pray for this school. We pray for the families. We pray for this community. And we pray for our Nation.”

“This is just gut-wrenching,” Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN-05) wrote on Twitter. “Another school targeted in a mass shooting. More innocent children lost. More grieving families who will never hug their children again.”

“What will it take for Republicans to support ANY measure to stop the senseless gun violence in America?” Cooper added.

“Camie and I join Tennesseans in praying for the Uvalde community as we mourn this horrific tragedy,” Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) wrote on Twitter.

“Camie and I continue to lift up the Uvalde community today as families mourn the loss of their precious children,” Rep. Green later added. “We are heartbroken by this senseless tragedy.”

“Brenda and I are saddened and horrified by the news out of Uvalde, Texas. We are praying for the victims and their families and ask you to join us,” Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) wrote on Twitter.

Tuesday’s shooting in Uvalde is the second-deadliest school shooting since 2012, when 26 children and adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Mark Green” by Mark Green. Photo “Diana Harshbarger” by Diana Harshbarger.
Background Photo “Robb Elementary School” by UCISD