(LibertyInsider.org) – In May 2022, Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, armed with an assault rifle, murdering 19 children and two teachers. The event was one of the deadliest school shootings in the United States. Unfortunately, the over 300 disorganized officers at the scene didn’t enter the school for over an hour, leaving Ramos to terrorize the children and adults inside. The grieving community and the rest of America were appalled by the police response, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) looked into what went wrong.
On January 18, the Associated Press reported that the DOJ released its comprehensive, nearly 600-page report on the shooting. The investigation found the Uvalde Police Department “demonstrated no urgency” and neglected to respond to the situation as if there was an active shooter. The extensive report highlighted multiple “cascading failures” of first responders.
After releasing the report, Attorney General Merrick Garland held a press conference in Uvalde to discuss some of its contents and answer questions. He said the department’s assessment included recommendations for training so police are properly prepared and organized for the next mass shooting.
Garland said the report included advice on communication and command structures that should be in place before a future tragic event. The attorney general also said the DOJ consulted experts from all over America to put together guidance for police moving forward. He met with the families of the victims and survivors before releasing the report, telling them his department’s priority was to honor their loved ones.
Berlinda Arreola lost her granddaughter that day. She attended the meeting and said she was filled with emotion and didn’t “have a lot of words to say.”
He said the response from Uvalde police and the aftermath should have never happened. He hoped the report would stop the failure from ever happening again. Garland added that the victims on that day “deserved better.”
PBS reported that at least five officers lost their jobs following the Uvalde tragedy.
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