Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke used his opening statement at the AFSCME forum in Las Vegas on Saturday to address a possible multiple active shooters situation as it unfolded in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

“I’m thinking of El Paso and I want you to be thinking about El Paso as well,” O’Rourke said moments after walking on stage at the candidate forum, which was co-moderated by HuffPost.

When he was later asked by the moderators about his gun control stance, the former congressman called for universal background checks and a stop on the sale of military-style weapons.

“Keep that shit on the battlefield. Do not bring it into our communities,” O’Rourke said.

Shortly before O’Rourke appeared on stage, police in Texas responded to reports of multiple active shooters at a Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. Initial reports suggested that at least 18 people were shot.

The scene was still active as O’Rourke spoke in Las Vegas. The Democrat noted that he heard reports that a military-style weapon may have been used.