AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas Senate committee examining the Uvalde shooting will hold its second day of testimony Wednesday.
The first day of hearings provided bombshell testimony from Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw. McCraw gave the most detailed public account of the shooting thus far, confirming troubling details about the police response in a minute-by-minute account of the 77 minutes before police finally confronted the shooter.
The latest alarming revelation was that the door to the classroom where the 18-year-old shooter remained was unlocked and that no law enforcement officer ever tried to open the door while Arredondo continue to call for keys to the classroom.
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed. Seventeen others were injured.
Wednesday’s meeting is expected to focus on mental health and firearm safety.In response, several senators called for the on-scene commander, Uvalde Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo to be fired and questioned whether he should be allowed to retain a law license. McCraw and a mass shooting expert testified that Arredondo’s handling of the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School cost lives.
In Uvalde, Mayor Don McLaughlin bristled at the news coming from the Senate hearing calling it a meeting the “Bozo the Clown show.” But McLaughlin was mostly upset with McCraw, stating that the DPS chief was releasing inaccurate information.
McLaughlin made the comments during a special called meeting of the Uvalde City Council Tuesday night. On the agenda was a request for a leave of absence from Arredondo, who was elected to the city council on May 7 and sworn in as a council member in a private ceremony after early details about his handling of the shooting were revealed.
Members of the Uvalde committee spoke of the frustrations they have felt over Arredondo’s refusal so far to resign from the council and that their city charter prevents them from recalling him until he has been in the position for more than eight months. They urged the council to disapprove Arredondo’s handwritten request for a leave from attending meetings to pave the way for his removal should he be absent form three consecutive meetings.
Jasmine Cazares, sister of Uvalde shooting victim Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares, 9, and cousin of Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10, said Arredondo should be accountable for his actions, and that he does not deserve to be on the council. “Most of us agree the respectful thing to do is resign and step down,” she said.
“Was this oath upheld on May 24?” she continued. “It wasn’t and I want you all to know. Remember my face. I remember hers. Because we will be here at every city council meeting until something changes.”
The council unanimously voted against approving Arredondo’s request for a leave of absence. McLaughlin said that Tuesday’s meeting marked the first of three required absences before the council could have him removed.
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