Uvalde, Texas – Families of the victims of the tragic 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, are expressing outrage and disappointment. An independent report revealed that local law enforcement officers did not violate policy despite standing by during the shooting. This incident resulted in the deaths of nineteen students and two teachers.
During a recent Uvalde city council meeting, Jesse Prado, a retired Austin police detective, presented the report. The report contradicts previous findings, including a scathing 2024 Department of Justice report that highlighted “cascading failures” by officers present at the scene. Another report by the Texas House in 2022 also criticized the officers’ “lackadaisical approach”.
Prado’s report states that none of the officers violated Uvalde Police Department policy and acted in good faith. While the report identified several failures in the law enforcement response, it did not pinpoint a specific officer responsible for these shortcomings. Additionally, the report highlighted how a Border Patrol tactical commander decided not to intervene earlier, fearing it would take too long to open a locked classroom door.
Despite more than 370 law enforcement officers responding to the massacre, families remain dissatisfied. They argue that the officers’ inaction may have cost lives. Many family members left the meeting in frustration as Prado implied that their actions compromised the police response.
Veronica Mata, who lost her 10-year-old daughter in the shooting, expressed her disappointment with the officers’ inaction. Similarly, Ruben Zamorra, whose daughter was left injured and unattended, criticized the police officers for failing to fulfill their duty.
The emotional and tense meeting shed light on the ongoing pain and frustration felt by the families of the victims. They remain determined to seek justice for their loved ones and hold those responsible for the lapses in the law enforcement response accountable.