The former police chief of the Uvalde school district has spoken out about his perceived role as a scapegoat in the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School shooting. The incident, 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 U.S. history.
Following the shooting, nearly 400 local, state, and federal officers responded to the scene. However, there was significant criticism over the delayed law enforcement response, with officers waiting over an hour to confront the gunman while children were in distress inside the school.
Scathing state and federal investigative reports highlighted various failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology that contributed to the delayed response. The former police chief and another district police officer were the only individuals charged in connection with the incident, facing allegations of child endangerment and abandonment.
Despite the indictment, the former police chief maintains his innocence, stating that he followed his active shooter training and acted promptly during the crisis. He emphasized that there was no hesitation among the initial officers who entered the school to confront the shooter.
The former police chief also criticized the handling of the incident by state police, suggesting that a command post should have been established outside the school to better coordinate the response.
While some have questioned his actions that day, the former police chief defended his decisions, stating that he and his team did the best they could under the circumstances. He expressed reluctance to watch video footage of the response, citing the emotional toll of the tragic events.
The Uvalde County District Attorney declined to comment on the former police chief's recent statements, and a parent of one of the victims expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of action during the shooting.
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of the devastating school shooting and seeks answers to ensure the safety of students in the future.
