Texas school shooter Salvador Ramos was bullied at school because his family was poor, former classmate says

A former classmate of the Texas school shooter said Salvador Ramos was bullied at school over his clothing and because his family was poor.

The former classmate, who asked not to be identified, told CNN he and Ramos, 18, were somewhat ‘close’ and used to play Xbox together.

He said Ramos began showing up to class less and less as other kids bullied him about his clothing and his family’s financial situation.

‘He would, like, not go to school…and he just, like, slowly dropped out. He barely came to school,’ the friend said.

After the North Dakota native graduated from high school, the friend said they became even more distant from each other, but would occasionally message each other on Xbox.

Ramos got a job at a local Wendy’s, where colleagues remembered him as quiet and antisocial.

‘He would message me here and there,’ he said.

Four days prior to Tuesday’s shooting, Ramos reportedly sent his friend a picture of the AR and a backpack full of 5.56 rounds.

(He had] probably like seven [magazines],’ he said. “I was like: “Bro, why do you have this?” and he was like: “Don’t worry about it.”‘

The school shooter – who originates from North Dakota and had recently moved to Texas – had reportedly bought two rifles on his 18th birthday, which was days ago, the Daily Beast reported.

Under a new Texan law passed in September, those aged 18-21 could buy guns if they had a protective order, because they were at risk of family violence, stalking, prostitution or sex trafficking.

The law also removed the requirement for a permit for a handgun. Rifles were already permitted in Texas without licenses.

Ramos also told his friend that he ‘looked very different now.’

Ramos’s social media was full of photos of his new guns, which he bought on his 18th birthday, state senator Roland Gutierrez said.

Ramos also messaged a Los Angeles-based woman on May 12 on Instagram, tagging her in a photo of the guns.

‘You gonna repost my gun pics,’ @sal8dor_ direct messaged her.