Uvalde, Texas – Parents of the victims of the tragic Uvalde school shooting expressed outrage during a city council meeting when an investigator defended the police response to the May 2022 incident. The investigator, Jesse Prado, commended the actions of the local police despite acknowledging numerous failures in handling the situation, causing emotional reactions from the families of the victims.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, a grieving parent who lost her daughter Lexi in the shooting, tearfully criticized the investigator’s conclusion that the police acted in good faith, pointing out the 77-minute delay in confronting the gunman. The emotional tension escalated as families demanded Prado’s return to the meeting after he abruptly left following the presentation.
While Prado praised the officers for their strength and tactical decision-making during the shooting, families of the victims used their time to express their disappointment with the report and the overall response from the city council and Uvalde police. Ruben Zamorra shared the harrowing experience of his daughter Mayah, who was critically injured and underwent multiple surgeries as a result of the shooting.
The city council also faced criticism from Council Member Hector Luevano, who expressed embarrassment and insult at the findings of the report. Prado highlighted various failures in the response to the shooting, including communication issues, inadequate training, lack of equipment, and delays in dealing with the gunman.
The report’s shortcomings echoed those in a previous investigation by the Justice Department, which emphasized the lack of urgency in establishing command posts and addressing the active shooter situation. The aftermath of the shooting led to the dismissal of several officers, including the school police chief, although no criminal charges have been filed yet.
As the community continues to grapple with the tragic events of the Uvalde school shooting, ongoing criminal investigations and testimonies from officers and officials aim to shed light on the shortcomings and improve future responses to similar incidents. The unresolved questions surrounding the police response serve as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and preparedness in ensuring the safety of students and staff in schools.