Mom of Texas school gunman who massacred 19 children says he’s ‘not a violent person’

Adriana Reyes said her son Salvador Ramos was a loner but insisted he was not a violent person after the horrific shooting spree in Uvalde, Texas

The mother of the teenage school gunman who butchered 19 children and two teachers in Texas claims he is ‘not a violent person’.

Adriana Reyes said she was surprised to learn that Salvador Ramos opened fire on Robb Primary School in Uvalde on Tuesday.

Minutes before the massacre, Adriana said he shot his late grandmother. This increases the death toll to 22.

She recalled the last time she spoke to her son on Monday for his birthday when she was planning to give him a card and a stuffed animal from Snoopy.

The mum denied claims they had a toxic relationship but admitted the 18-year-old was a loner who didn’t have many friends and “kept to himself”.

“My son was not a violent person. I’m surprised by what he’s done,” she said MailOnline.

“I pray for these families. I’m praying for all these innocent children, yes I am. You had no part in it.”

Ramos was shot dead after killing 19 children and two teachers, as well as his grandmother Celia Gonzalez, who is now fighting for her life.

Ms Reyes said she didn’t know where Salvador shot her mother, who was shot in the face, and said she will look after her when she returns home.

The elderly woman was left in critical condition.

Ms Reyes spoke from the hospital and told how her mother could hold her hand but couldn’t smile before she died.

Ramos had boasted on social media that he had bought two AR-15 assault rifles and suggested committing an atrocity before the massacre.

Four days before his killing spree, he released pictures of the guns, including one where he tagged a woman who has since said she has no idea who he is.

In a series of messages, he claimed he had a “secret” that he wanted to share with her with his last message, in which he said, “I’m off the air.”

Ramos worked at Wendy’s Restaurant, where he was described as “unfriendly” by colleagues.

A former classmate further claimed that he was bullied at school.

Speaking to the Washington Post, classmate Nadia Reyes said: “He was posting videos on his Instagram of the cops being there and he was calling his mom and saying she wanted to kick him out.

“He was screaming and talking very aggressively to his mother.”

Married mothers and teachers Eva Mireles, 44, and Imra Garcia, 46, were among those who lost their lives trying to protect the school children.

Several student victims who lost their lives have now also been named, including Xavier Lopez, 10, Eliahana “Elijah Cruz” Torres, 10, Rogelio Torez, Amerie Jo Garza, Neevah Bravo and Uziyah Garcia.

17 people were also injured in the attack.

Governor Greg Abbott said: “Evil swept over Uvalde yesterday. Anyone who shoots their grandmother in the face must have evil at heart.

“But it’s much worse when someone shoots small children. It is intolerable and unacceptable for us to have someone in the state killing young children in our schools.”

Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is running against Abbott for governor, said the Republican’s reaction to the tragedy was “predictable.”

He also confronted the governor about the lack of gun laws following the attack.