Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has canceled his appearance at Friday’s National Rifle Association convention in Houston, deciding instead to hold a news conference in Uvalde, the site of a mass shooting on Tuesday that claimed the lives of 19 elementary school students and two teachers.
Abbott had been scheduled to speak alongside former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, but will deliver “pre-recorded remarks,” his spokesperson, Mark Miner, told the Houston Chronicle.
It will be Abbott’s second visit to Uvalde since 18-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Abbott will hold the news conference at 3:30 p.m. CDT, the governor’s office announced.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are expected to travel to Uvalde on Sunday.
Organizers for the NRA convention said it will “reflect on” the deadly shooting in Uvalde, NPR reported.
>> Texas school shooting: President Biden, first lady to visit Uvalde on Sunday
The original schedule for the convention had Abbott speaking at 2:37 p.m. CDT after NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and before South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the Morning News reported.
Earlier Thursday, “American Pie” singer Don McLean backed out of his scheduled appearance at the convention, saying it would be “disrespectful” to sing in the aftermath of the nation’s latest mass shooting, NPR reported.
McLean was scheduled to perform Saturday night during the NRA’s “Grand Ole Night of Freedom” concert, according to The Washington Post.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, leaves flowers at a memorial site, Thursday, May 26, 2022, for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, visits a memorial site with flowers, Thursday, May 26, 2022, to honor the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, visits a memorial site, Thursday, May 26, 2022, honoring the victims killed in Tuesday’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Children pay their respects at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A woman reacts as she pays her respects at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Crosses with the names of Tuesday’s shooting victims are placed outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A child writes a message on a cross at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Children pray and pay their respects at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Prianna Ayala weeps as she is embraced at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Mario Games, right, and his wife, Marisela and daughter Emily, react as they stand in front of a cross with the name of their niece, Nevaeh Bravo, at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Mario Games, right, and his wife, Marisela and daughter Emily, react as they stand in front of a cross with the name of their niece, Nevaeh Bravo, at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A child writes a message on a cross at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A child leaves flowers at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
A girl writing a message on a cross is reflected in the water at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
People pay their respects at a memorial site for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
People gather at a memorial site to pay their respects for the victims killed in this week’s elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Esmeralda Bravo, 63, sheds tears while holding a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Two family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School comfort each other during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School embrace each other after a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Stormy Flores, 11, sits with a sign bearing the names of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, far right, prays with a man during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
A young girl listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, and Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco pray during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Esmeralda Bravo, center, holds a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, as she is comforted by Nevaeh’s cousin, Anayeli, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members and relatives of Nevaeh Bravo, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, attend a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
People listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.