Abbott will head to Uvalde on Friday, provide pre-recorded remarks for NRA convention

Gov. Greg Abbott, who had been scheduled to speak at a National Rifle Association conference in Houston on Friday, will instead go back to Uvalde, where Tuesday a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school.

His office late Thursday announced that the governor will be in Uvalde for a 3:30 p.m. news conference on state efforts to support the community. Before that, he’ll attend a briefing with state agencies, local officials and community members.

Abbott will provide pre-recorded remarks for the NRA event, spokesperson Renae Eze confirmed in a text message.

President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz are scheduled to speak during a Friday afternoon forum. Sen. John Cornyn had been scheduled as well, but in a statement his office said Cornyn had an unexpected schedule change that the NRA was informed of prior to the shooting, and wouldn’t be able to attend.

Several protests are planned for outside the convention center.

Beto O’Rourke, Abbott’s opponent in the November general election, had previously called for Abbott to skip the convention.

The convention began Thursday afternoon.

“As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure,” the NRA said in a Wednesday statement, ahead of its start.

Also on Thursday, Fort Worth Democrat Mark Veasey called for the convention’s cancellation in the wake of the Uvalde shooting. He also asked the NRA to consider supporting gun regulations like “background checks and simply closing loopholes” and criticized the group for blocking gun safety legislation.

“Let the good people of Uvalde begin the closure and healing with some respect and dignity. Your absence from Houston would serve everyone in our state well,” he said in a letter.