Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a press conference at Uvalde High School in Uvalde, Texas, on Wednesday. Photo: Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has canceled his National Rifle Association convention appearance Friday in order to travel to Uvalde to further respond to this week's school shooting massacre, his office said.
The latest: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) also canceled his speech at a breakfast held by the NRA on Friday, saying in a statement that "this is a time to focus on the families, first and foremost," according to the Dallas Morning News.
Driving the news: Abbott intends to instead hold a press conference on "state resources available for those impacted by the Robb Elementary School shooting" that killed 19 children and two adults, his spokesperson Mark Miner told the Houston Chronicle. He will deliver "pre-recorded video remarks" at the NRA event.
The big picture: The Texas governor was criticized for planning to deliver a speech at the Houston NRA event alongside former President Trump following Tuesday's shooting, the Houston Chronicle notes.
- Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, who interrupted Abbott's press conference on the shooting, tweeted Wednesday, "Governor Abbott, if you have any decency, you will immediately withdraw from this weekend’s NRA convention and urge them to hold it anywhere but Texas."
What to watch: Trump has confirmed his attendance at the convention.
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas),who faced backlash for his response to the shooting after he called for more armed law enforcement on school campuses and offered his prayers to victims, is also scheduled to speak at the event.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with further context and info about Patrick's decision to cancel his appearance.