winfield. one of the ten people killed in a mass shooting of a grocery store on may 15th. yesterday, the president and first lady were down in uvalde, texas where they met for hours with families of the 19 young children and two teachers who were killed in last week's school shooting. which of course came just ten days after buffalo. as biden left the church service in uvalde, he was met by a crowd of people chanting, do something. he responded by telling the crowd, we will. the president sounded a very similar note in the commence speech this weekend at university of delaware, telling graduates that the country can and must do something. >> let's be clear, evil came to the elementary school classroom in texas, to that grocery store in new york and far too many places where innocents have died. in the face of such forces, we have to stand stronger. we must stand stronger. we cannot outlaw tragedy, i know. but we can make america safer. >> but let's be honest, optimism is in short supply on whether congress will do anything at all. even as protests rage throughout the weekend, outside of the nra conference that took place in houston, inside of the event, donald trump himself another republican political leaders were refusing any and all calls for gun reform. much of the attention right now remains on the law enforcement response to the shooting at robb elementary in texas. the justice department announced it will conduct a review of the response after it became abundantly clear that officers waited for over an hour before they stormed the classroom where the gunman was. during that excruciating wait, children inside of the room called 9-1-1 repeatedly, pleading for help. as families wait for clarity on what exactly happened, and more importantly, what went wrong inside of the school, the nation is waiting to see if lawmakers will manage any legislative response to the shooting. tomorrow, funerals will begin in that small texas town for the many victims. a funeral service will be held tomorrow for a ten year old my tehran-geles, who is an honor student, recognized for her achievements at a school ceremony that very, day that morning before the shooting. on wednesday, there will be a joint funeral for irma garcia, one of the two teachers killed in the massacre and for her husband joe. it's hard to even think about it. he collapsed and died just two days later. many people, he said, he died from the grief. they leave for children behind. nbc sam brock's reporting for us in uvalde. he's reporting for us now. sent, thank you for being there. i want to start by asking, what has this been like for you? you've been in this town for days now. >> it feels like we are seeing this pain play out over and over again. it's the theoretical, stephanie. people talk about how it's so horrible that this happens in denver, upstate new york, new york, florida, you pick your location. it always seems like it's the other and not happening to us. but you talk to the family members here and they say, a reality, the perception of what is possible is shattered. and it certainly feels like that for someone who is on the ground and talking for them as well. because the pain itself is indescribable. you could see it on their faces. i am watching families walking up to this plaza behind me. see, there's a fountain with so many flowers and gifts for those who are greeting. it's, that many fee tie, because people care that much about trying to provide some level of consolation. or some level of support to those experiencing pain. by the same token, they are confused. everyone here is confused. as for the time limit offense that there is not a school resource officer on campus when it all broke out. why a school board was left open. the budget here in uvalde had been doubled, stephanie, previous years. trying to really show up security issues. they had active training drills two months prior before this all started. so, as you talk to the families, one of, them i spoke to grandmother to the ten year old child and you can immediately understand envision her future someone who love song and dance. she had a beautiful voice. she loved softball with her grandfather, and he bought a glove. this is a kid with all the potential in the world. and her life has been cut short. the grandfather wrote a letter to president biden, who was in town yesterday, give it to elliana's mom, his daughter, to give to president biden. here is what the letter says. >> well, i was, you know like, i hear her say, we are -- unruly, we are not anymore. >> he has power to change it. and he can do it. he can. and it needs to change. because how many more lives are going to be taken? other families are going to lose their children or their nieces, their cousins -- >> two weeks ago, we were playing here, playing here! i bought her new glove. she never had the chance of putting it on and again. >> stephanie, no one here doubts the fact that it was an 18 year old who decided out of his own volition to go out and buy two ar-15 style rifles, and to commit this act. but, they also want some form of an explanation from law enforcement here, from the local police department and school district police department from pete arredondo, who is the chief. who was just elected city council to explain what is thought process and rational was like. and decided to keep federal agents from going into the school as they sat there for 30 minutes. there was a city council meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow, 6:00. that is been canceled. so, again, i believe for day three or four now, not a word, not just from the state, but not from the city for the last week, stephanie in the aftermath of this last tragedy. stuff? >> is there any reason why they would council that council meeting? i cannot imagine a week that is more important where people need answers. >> that is the problem. it is that we have seen what's up in when they held press conferences. it just bonds more questions. the criticism heightens for public officials. specifically when it comes down to how this became a barricade situation versus active shooter. because, as you talk to experts and law enforcements, stephanie, they'll explain that it lasts less than five minutes. because ever since columbine, the guidance has changed for what law enforcement officers are supposed to do when there is a threat of someone being killed. so, they are going to have to answer those questions. and with each day that goes by, i cannot tell you what's in their head in terms of accountability and explaining what transpires. another day goes by, another day where they're not standing in front of a microphone to try to tell all of the people live in this community how this could've transpired the way did it did. and again, i will state, a shooter decided to pick up a weapon and go and devastate families for the rest of their lives. but, there also has to be some sort of explanation, some sort of, it, lisa review. there was a federal review that's moving forward, now. it's pretty rare. department justice, this critical review has only happened in the last several years, a couple of times, orlando is one of the most recent examples. they are looking right now at death practices. there is evidence that it was not followed. we want to know, people who live in this community, just want to know. why not? >> well, the most important person in the federal government was in uvalde yesterday, the president. how is the community reacting? >> i think that they were very glad to see him here. he spent hours meeting with families. there is images of president biden wiping tears away to his face when you talk to the families themselves about what they are expecting. they want to do something. and as we, know the president can issue executive orders. but you're not gonna issue an executive order to take assault rifles off of the street. that has to be an act of congress. there's only so much the president can do. i will say that we would like to hear more from him. but, actually trying to lean on federal politicians to an act, as you, said some form of a bipartisan package of gun reform, if that's even possible. we've had this conversation several times in recent years after the worst chapter of murder in american history some schools. whether it's parkland or newtown. and we all know the end result. which is nothing got done. people here say, this, time it has to be different. there's no other option. because it will happen again in another city of action does not take. >> sam brock, thank you so much for being there, for reporting on this really important story. i appreciated. i want to bring it to our conversation, texas state senator, his district includes uvalde. senator, here we are again. you and i talking for the third time in the last five days. tell us what the last few days have been like for you. day one was just simply shock throughout the community. here we are as the days are passing. what are people telling you they want and need the most? >> so, it is day seven now, stephanie. at the end of the day, this community needs therapy. they need love. they need attention. we need resources. i have asked the governor to send me $2 million to fund a community health clinic for behavioral health so that we can pay therapist that are going to live in uvalde, work in uvalde, world mental health is a very big challenge. constituents are talking about raising the school. i had that conversation with the president, as well. he is committed to me. his death is committed to me. we will work on a federal grant to raise the school. it is said that one exist, there is up to 45 million dollar grant to raise schools that have undergone this type of calamity. disturbing to say the least. but, we are here to make sure that they know that we are not leaving. we are going to make sure that we get all the resources to them as soon as possible. >> mental health support should be helpful going forward. but, people are still stuck, rightfully so on the past. do you have more answers for us on what went wrong with law enforcement? the timing! it's amazing to me, the conference that was supposed to be held tomorrow, the city council meeting, it's already been canceled. >> so, i welcome further investigation by dps. i certainly welcome the federal investigation. i had a very long and heated conversation with mcfaul on saturday morning. we were both in tears. i, particularly find it disappointing that we are pointing the finger at one cop. i don't know this man. but, the fact is that every cop that was there violated the active shooter protocols. we want -- there is this narrative that the cop with the six officers below him was calling the shots. at what point does the next agency takeover? and the next agency with more firepower, ammunition and people take over? even the federal government, when they arrived, they didn't go charging it. it took them a few minutes. and so, there was a failure at every level here. that is why this federal investigation needs to happen. that is why these families want to know. i'm gonna tell you an incredibly sad story. one of the families that i have spoken to, most of these kids are unfortunately riddled and really devastatingly hurt. this one child had only one bullet wound through the kidney area. she likely blood out according to the first responders. and we got in the 20, 30 minutes before this child might have been alive. we have to get answers so that this never happens again. so that we can find the best practices so that no family has to go through the agony that these families went through as they waited outside for over an hour to let law enforcement figure out when, if they were going to going. >> then, let's make sure you and i are not advancing any false narratives out there. but, your estimation, everything that you have learned over the last seven days, you are there on the ground. what do you think happened? >> i know that at 12:03, as you, know there were 19 officers in the hallway that apparently were repelled by some form of gunfire and decided not to go in. we were told, wrongly, there was negotiations. and the fact is that person never uttered a word to law enforcement. so, that was not true. would i have asked mcgraw to give me is not just the ballistics report that he wants to give me about friendly fire, i don't care about that so much. i want to know how many officers were in that building, what time they were in that building and when and where they were situated. i saw no officers, as yet, on the outside windows. they haven't told us anything about. that ever since friday's report, we have not heard anything. three days, four days have gone by since friday. and we have gotten -- i got another report from dps us to where the officers were and where they were working in the other agencies. the agencies had greater manpower, greater firepower, greater ammunition, more people and we need to ascertain these important facts. these families deserve it. >> 19 officers were in the building at 12:03. they left. and what do we know the outcome was? 19 children and two teachers were killed. i know that your republican governor, greg abbott was given a news conference on friday, and you personally interrupted him. you asked him to call a special session of the legislature to do something about guns. have you gotten any response? >> i've gotten no response from greg abbott, he's holed up in his office and some people think maybe i should have done. that maybe it wasn't the right time. let's be really clear, we've. had six or seven in texas. after each and every one of them we do the thoughts and prayers thing. and yet, nothing, nothing, nothing gets done. he is very proud of the school hardening of 2019. we can see what happened there. we cannot allow greg abbott or any republican an office that is bought and paid for by the nra to escape this moment. i am asking this governor to bring us back. i want to tell you another number, today is day 77. we are 77 days from the first school start in texas. i am not -- this isn't a challenge. i'm not playing a game here. we need to get back into the capital. we need for things done. we need wait periods. we need red flag laws. we need to have magazine capacities. and more importantly, we need to raise this age limit. how an 18 year old was able to access these kinds of weapons of mass destruction is beyond me. it is harder to get baby formula in texas than it is to buy an ar-15. sir, something has happened after all the shootings. over the last couple of years, gun laws has become more relaxed in the state of texas. do you think this horrific event is not only going to change the way they see things, but it is it going to change the lines of texan voters? >> i've already heard from third parties, that some of my colleagues in the republican controlled senate, are suggesting that we need to make the schools more secure. didn't we already do that? then we do that in 2019? apparently we need more mental illness. let's fund that, because that's a component. but at the end of the day, this is an access to militarized weaponry that it should not be. i have republican constituents calling me and saying let's raise the age limit. i have no problem with a waiting limit, with red flags. the only constituents that greg is listening to is the nra. he is a coward! let's be real clear! this man, has made it easier and easier for people to access this kind of weaponry. last session during the open carry bill that they passed, where the last speaker spoke. in the last ten seconds i said, because of this bill, more kids will die! i never thought that that hyperbole was going to be realized in my own community. i think i'm living in a horror film. >> senator, i am sorry to hear you say that. and i'm sorry for what you're going through right now. thank you for joining us right now, roland. i appreciate it. we're gonna have much more on this throughout the hour. the frustration felt by democrats, and some republicans. and more importantly, a whole lot of americans, about the lack of action after recent mass shootings. the big question? could this hand be different? we'll have the latest on the war in ukraine, where president zelenskyy just took his first visit to the front lines. we'll speak live in just a moment with congressman adam smith. chair of the armed services committee, we have a lot to cover on this night. stay with us! stay with us t with this. cool it with this. and relieve it with this. but new preparation h soothing relief spray is the 21st century way to do all three. even touch free. preparation h. get comfortable with it. and it's easier than ever to get your projects done right. with angi, you can connect with and see ratings and reviews. and when you book and pay throug you're covered by our happiness check out angi.com today. angi... and done. i love all types of dancing... salsa, and even belly dancing! i am a triathlete. i've always been into health, and wellness, and fitness... i tried everything with diet and exercise, and nothing worked. there was just kinda this stubborn area on my stomach. but coolsculpting worked for me! coolsculpting targets, freezes and eliminates treated fat for good. no needles, no incisions. discuss coolsculpting with your provider. some common side effects include temporary numbness, discomfort and swelling. you've come this far... coolsculpting takes you further. visit coolsculpting.com okay everyone, our mission is to provide complete balanced nutrition for strength and energy. woo hoo! ensure, complete balanced nutrition with 27 vitamins and minerals. and ensure complete with 30 grams of protein. ♪ ♪ this is xfinity rewards. with 30 grams of protein. our way of saying thanks, with rewards for the whole family! from epic trips... to jurassic-themed at-home activities. join over 3 million members and start enjoying rewards like these, and so much more in the xfinity app! and don't miss jurassic world:dominion as we honor our soldiers this in theaters june 10th. memorial day, ukrainian soldiers continue to defend their country. more than three months into the unprovoked war. over the weekend, ukrainian president zelenskyy took his first trip outside kyiv since the invasion began. he was visiting the frontline region of kharkiv. he handed out accommodations to those soldiers, telling them, quote, you risk your lives for us and all for our country. this comes as russia has been bearing down on eastern ukraine. shelling the last two cities in the region under ukraine's control. they attacks were relentless. with over 90% of the buildings destroyed, and one of the strongholds targeted by russians. and finally, a 32 year old french journalist was killed in the region today. he was killed by shrapnel while following a humanitarian cowboy. his statement said this. share the pain of the family and loved ones. this tragic event reminds us of the dangerous faced by all journalists who have been reporting this conflict at the risk of there -- . meanwhile, others are still debating on how to support ukraine. we're working on a russian oil embargo, but it's currently being hung up by putin hungarian minister. the economy is heavily dependent on russian oil. and it wants to show its commitment to ukraine. and today, the u.s. ambassador has in arrived in kyiv as a very symbolic move, as she fills a position that has been vacant for three years. meanwhile, we report, that the administration was preparing to provide ukraine with long range rocket systems that could target russia. >> are you going to send long range rocket systems to ukraine? >> we're not gonna send ukraine rocket systems that could strike into russia. >> so if that is off the table, the big question is what is? what other measures are still being considered in terms of helping ukraine win the war? let