AUSTIN, TX - JUNE 20: Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) speaks at a rally at the state Capitol on June 20, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The rally is one of many O'Rourke is holding across Texas to fight SB7, a controversial voting bill that was derailed after house Democrats walked out of the session. The bill set limits on early voting hours, banned drive-through voting, made it a felony for officials to send unsolicited absentee ballot requests and lowered the standard for overturning an election based on fraud. Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to call a special session on the measure. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - JUNE 20: Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) speaks at a rally at the state Capitol on June 20, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The rally is one of many O'Rourke is holding across Texas to fight SB7, a controversial voting bill that was derailed after house Democrats walked out of the session. The bill set limits on early voting hours, banned drive-through voting, made it a felony for officials to send unsolicited absentee ballot requests and lowered the standard for overturning an election based on fraud. Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to call a special session on the measure. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Getty Images)
Texas Democrat Beto O'Rourke confronted Gov. Greg Abbott at a press conference on Wednesday, accusing the governor of inaction on gun violence in the wake of a mass shooting at an elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
Abbott, flanked by law enforcement officers and fellow Republican lawmakers, had just wrapped up giving an update on the Uvalde, Texas, shooting Wednesday afternoon — in which he said mental health was the root cause of the deadly event — when O'Rourke approached the stage.
“Governor Abbott, I have to say something,” O’Rourke, who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Abbott in November’s midterm elections, said. “The time to stop the next shooting is right now and you are doing nothing.”
The totality of O’Rourke’s remarks were difficult to hear as he was shouted down by those on stage who were speaking into microphones. Among those attempting to speak over O’Rourke was Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who told the former El Paso congressman to "sit down" and that he was "an embarrassment.”
Another man standing behind Abbott shouted at O'Rourke, "I can't believe you're a sick son of a bitch that would come to a deal like this to make a political issue."
O'Rourke was escorted out of the event by security.
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