Uvalde shooting: Texas Rangers defend school massacre response

Police in Texas have been defending the response to a mass shooting at a school amid criticism of an apparent delay in confronting the teenage gunman.

Reports quoted parents as saying police were hesitant to confront the killer inside Uvalde's Robb Elementary School.

But Texas Ranger Victor Escalon said officers were on the scene of Tuesday's attack in four minutes.

"They [didn't] make entry immediately because of the gunfire they were receiving," Mr Escalon told reporters.

The gunman - 18-year-old Salvador Ramos - was killed about an hour later, when US Border Patrol tactical teams arrived, but not before he had shot dead 19 students and two teachers, and injured at least 17 more.

Reports quoting eyewitnesses have said police were urged to charge into the building immediately, with one suggesting he considered doing so himself as he became frustrated.

Mr Escalon - a Ranger, and spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety - said that such reports were not confirmed.

He said that during the time officers were outside the school, they were calling in reinforcement and "also evacuating students, teachers".

"An hour later US Border Patrol tactical teams arrive, they make entry and shoot and kill the suspect," he added. "Immediately....it turns into a rescue operation."