Topline
An independent review into the 2022 Uvalde school shooting cleared more than 20 Uvalde police officers of wrongdoing despite identifying multiple failures in their response to the tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 and injured 17, sending parents and families of the victims into an outrage, according to multiple outlets.
Key Facts
Former detective Jesse Prado conducted the report and presented it at a Uvalde City Council meeting, saying no officers violated department policies in their actions and acted in good faith, The New York Times reported.
Prado also said the review identified mistakes linked to training, communication and leadership during the shooting, which took place over the course of an hour at Robb Elementary School and elicited a response from nearly 400 law enforcement officers. The Texas Tribune reported.
The report from Prado said a prevalent theme that emerged from the incident was a “claim of the lack of or inadequacy of certain equipment by first responding officers” that hindered their ability to neutralize the suspect, referring to officer statements concerned about the absence of “rifle rated ballistic shields, and breaching tools.”
Prado left after presenting the findings and before the public hearing, according to the Tribune, which reported chants of “bring him back!” and victims’ families saying his audit was “bull****” and a “joke.”
Uvalde resident Diana Olvedo-Karau and Kimberly Mata-Rubio both called for the termination of city police officers, according to CNN, with the latter saying “nothing is going to change.”
Key Background
The Uvalde shooting occurred in May 2022, killing 19 elementary school students, two teachers and injuring 17 others. Hundreds of rounds were fired by the shooter, who had purchased an AR-15 style rifle a few days after turning 18. A large part of the tragedy’s fallout revolved around the length of time the shooter had to carry out his actions and an underwhelming police response. Parents arrived at the elementary school arguing with officers and telling them to enter the school immediately. Some angered parents proposed rushing into the school themselves. A state and federal investigation was also launched into the shooting, the latter of which found “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training,” according to the Times.
Further Reading
Uvalde city report clears local officers of wrongdoing, outraging families (Texas Tribune)
City Inquiry: Uvalde Officers Made Mistakes, but Did Not Violate Policy (New York Times)
