Matthew McConaughey has returned to his hometown of Uvalde, Texas - just days after the tragic elementary school shooting.
On Tuesday, 19 children and two teachers died after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School carrying a handgun and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and opened fire.
Authorities have named the gunman as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos.
Following the horrendous event, many people took to social media to pay their respects to the victims, including Acadamy award-winner Matthew McConaughey.
Taking to social media to share the written statement, the 52-year-old Hollywood star wrote: "As you all are aware there was another mass shooting today, this time in my [hometown] of Uvalde, Texas. Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us.
"The true call to action now is for every American to take a longer and deeper look in the mirror, and ask ourselves, ‘What is it that we truly value? How do we repair the problem? What small sacrifices can we individually take today, to preserve a healthier and safer nation, state, and neighborhood tomorrow?"
McConaughey added: "We cannot exhale once again, make excuses, and accept these tragic realities as the status quo. As Americans, Texans, mothers, and fathers, it's time we re-evaluate, and renegotiate our wants from our needs.
"We have to rearrange our values and find a common ground above this devastating American reality that has tragically become our children's issue.
"This is an epidemic we can control, and whichever side of the aisle we may stand on, we all know we can do better. We must do better. Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured."
"And to those who dropped off their loved ones today not knowing it was goodbye, no words can comprehend or heal your loss, but if prayers can provide comfort, we will keep them coming."
Now, McConaughey has returned back to his hometown to be with the people of Uvalde at this time of mourning.
On Saturday, US House candidate Tony Gonzales shared a picture of McConaughey, 52, during his visit.
Gonzales wrote alongside the images: "This week was a solemn reminder that evil exists in the world, but we will never let it break us. We’ll unite to be an even more powerful reminder that love never fails & together we can change things.
"Appreciate Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey helping us heal. #UvaldeUnited".
Per People, the Dallas Buyers Club star was visiting the families of the victims at the Uvalde Civic Center.
Fox News reports that McConaughey was born in Uvalde, and that his mom worked as a teacher just a mile away from Robb Elementary School.
