Uvalde, Texas – Families of the victims of the tragic 2022 mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, expressed their anger after a recent report cleared the local police of any wrongdoing. Independent investigator Jesse Prado concluded that the officers had acted in good faith during the incident, despite initial criticisms of a slow response.
During a presentation at Uvalde’s city hall, Prado’s findings led to an emotional response from some of the families affected by the shooting. Veronica Mata, a mother who lost her 10-year-old daughter in the attack, questioned the definition of “good faith,” pointing out that the officers waited 77 minutes before taking action. The attack, which occurred on May 24, 2022, resulted in the tragic deaths of 19 students and two teachers, making it one of the deadliest school shootings in US history.
While Prado’s report exonerated the police of serious misconduct, it highlighted communication issues among responding officers, lack of specialized training for active shooter situations, inadequate equipment, and delays in apprehending the gunman. Concerns were raised about the police waiting despite receiving multiple calls indicating that students were still in danger.
Kimberly Rubio, another parent who lost her daughter during the shooting, addressed the meeting at Uvalde’s city hall, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims. The report’s scathing assessment of the Uvalde Police Department’s response to the incident implicated officers for staying outside the school while the gunman carried out his attack.
Over 400 officers eventually responded to the scene, but it took over an hour for them to confront and neutralize the shooter. The delayed response was a focal point of the report, which criticized the lack of readiness and leadership within the department. The report cited failures in recognizing the active shooter threat and a breakdown in decision-making processes, tactics, policies, and training protocols.
Despite the report’s conclusions, families of the victims remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and accountability. Mata vowed to continue fighting for her daughter and others affected by the tragedy, emphasizing the importance of holding authorities responsible for their actions during such devastating events. Community members are calling for reforms within the Uvalde Police Department to ensure better preparedness and a more effective response to future crises.