The families of the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, are upset about a new report that supported the actions of local police on May 24, 2022, when 19 students and two teachers were killed.
The local report, which comes after a more critical one from the federal government, recognized the police failure that led to nearly 400 members of law enforcement waiting outside the school for 77 minutes while the gunman was inside, but found that the city's officers did not break any rules.
Relatives of the victims expressed their anger at the report's findings by shouting “cowards” during a City Council meeting. KENS5 reported.
The families also criticized the investigator hired by local officials for leaving the room before they had the chance to speak with him, The Associated Press reported.
In some instances, the report and Uvalde officials actually praised the actions of law enforcement.
“You said they did it in good faith. You call that good faith? They stood there 77 minutes,” said Kimberly Mata-Rubio, who lost her daughter, according to the AP.
Jesse Prado, a former police detective from Austin, conducted the report for the Uvalde City Council. During the council meeting, he emphasized the failures law enforcement had on the day of the shooting.
Communication problems, inadequate training for active shooter situations, lack of available equipment, and delays in entering the classroom were among the issues he mentioned.
“There were problems all day long with communication and lack of it. The officers had no way of knowing what was being planned, what was being said,” Prado said during his presentation.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a scathing report earlier this year that found law enforcement had a lack of preparation, communication and initiative in their response to the shooting.
Following the DOJ’s investigation, the families of victims renewed their calls for police officers to face charges. The report cited unnecessary deaths, as officers detained parents who attempted to enter the school but did not go in themselves.
Criminal charges have not been presented to any member of law enforcement. Since the shooting, at least five officers have lost their jobs, including two from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the on-site commander.
The Associated Press contributed.
