Latest news with #UvaldeCISD
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
More Uvalde school shooting records to be made public soon. Here's what to know
More Uvalde school shooting records to be made public soon. Here's what to know HOUSTON (AP) — A yearslong legal fight over the release of audio and video recordings and other records related to the May 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is coming closer to an end. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District and Uvalde County are expected to make the disputed records public as early as this week. Media organizations, including The Associated Press, sued the district and county in 2022 for the release of their records related to the mass shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers. A Texas appeals court in July upheld a lower court's ruling that the records must be released. The City of Uvalde released its records from the mass shooting — including devastating video and recordings of police radio traffic and 911 calls — in August 2024. The city of about 15,000 people is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of San Antonio. That information detailed the agonizingly slow law enforcement response, which has been widely condemned. Nearly 400 officers waited more than 70 minutes before confronting the gunman in a classroom filled with dead and wounded children and teachers. What records will be released? The school district is expected to release police service and 911 call records; evidence logs related to the shooting; body-worn and security camera footage from Robb Elementary; student files for the shooter; internal communications among district officials; and results of school safety audits. It could also make public personnel files and other records related to Pete Arredondo, the former Uvalde schools police chief who was fired and indicted for his role in the police response. Records from the county are expected to include incident and 911 reports concerning Robb Elementary and other locations; sheriff dispatch logs and radio traffic; video footage; ballistics and evidence logs; and reports of law enforcement interactions with the shooter and his mother. It's not yet clear how much of this information has already been publicly released. Families of victims have also pushed for information Families of the victims have long sought accountability for the slow police response. 'There's nothing in those records and those files that can hurt any one of us any more than the pain that we've already endured. Once released, there will be questions. Transparency will come. There may be some blame. Accountability will come,' Berlinda Arreola, grandmother of 10-year-old victim Amerie Jo Garza, told the Uvalde school board before the board voted to approve the records' release on July 21. What legal battle remains over the release of records? The Texas Department of Public Safety is still fighting a separate lawsuit filed by media organizations for the release of that agency's records related to the school shooting. DPS has said the release of its records could be 'dangerous' because it would make law enforcement vulnerable by exposing information about how officers do their jobs and it could also complicate prosecutions in the case, according to court records. The lawsuit over DPS's records remains pending with the 15th Court of Appeals in Texas. Two officers set to stand trial for response Two of the responding officers face criminal charges. Arredondo and former school officer Adrian Gonzales have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of child abandonment and endangerment. They are set to face trial on Oct. 20. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press
Fox News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Uvalde school board votes unanimously to release Robb Elementary shooting investigation records
Following 38 months of silence, legal roadblocks and grief, the board members of Uvalde CISD unanimously voted in favor of releasing the records from the horrifying mass shooting at Robb Elementary. The board's vote follows a recent decision by the Fourth Court of Appeals ruling in favor of several news outlets that have requested both school and county records regarding the widely criticized response from law enforcement during the 2022 massacre that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. Ronald Garza, the county commissioner, demanded that the board drop the appeal and release the records, calling the court ruling a victory for the families during the open forum. "These attorneys representing UCISD and Uvalde County ultimately work for the taxpayers... the more this goes on, the more expense the taxpayers are incurring," Garza said. The board reached a decision after approximately 50 minutes in a closed-door session where they heard from the public. The vote comes after a lengthy period of legal resistance and appeals amidst the ongoing investigations. Families of the victims in attendance said that the moment was a long-overdue step toward healing. "For over three years, families like mine have lived with unbearable pain, unanswered questions, and a silence that feels like yet another betrayal," said Gloria Cazares, mother of 9-year-old Jackie Cazares. "It's about making sure what happens to my daughter never happens to another child," Cazares said. "I'm here today to demand the truth. You all owe it to Jackie, to her classmates, to her teachers." The board collectively apologized, and several members expressed remorse for their prior inaction, showing institutional change, not just compliance. Erica Muñoz stated her reason for joining the board was the need to rebuild trust through transparency and compassion. Berinda Areola urged that their healing starts when the records are released. "There's nothing in those records that can hurt us more than the pain we've already endured," said Areola. Board Secretary Jesse Rizo, who lost a niece in the tragedy, apologized during the meeting, saying, "I'm sorry it took so long. I'm sorry we failed you."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Uvalde school shooting: Where things stand 3 years later
The Brief 19 students and two teachers were killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022. A candlelight vigil will be held in Uvalde on Saturday night. Former Uvalde CISD police chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales are expected to face trial later this year. UVALDE, Texas - Saturday marks 3 years since the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. On May 24, 2022, 19 children and two teachers were killed when an 18-year-old gunman entered the school's campus and opened fire inside a fourth grade classroom. 19 Robb Elementary students were killed in the shooting. Xavier Javier Lopez, 10 Amerie Jo Garza, 10 Uziyah Garcia, 8 Rojelio Torres, 10 Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10 Nevaeh Bravo, 10 Makenna Lee Elrod, 10 Eliahana 'Elijah Cruz' Torres, 10 Eliana 'Ellie' Garcia, 9 Alithia Ramirez, 10 Jacklyn "Jackie" Cazares, 9 Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10 Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11 Jose Flores Jr, 10 Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio, 10 Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10 Tess "Tessy" Marie Mata, 10 Maranda Gail Mathis, 11 Layla Salazar, 10 Fourth-grade co-teachers 48-year-old Irma Garcia and 44-year-old Eva Mireles were also killed. Family members said at the time both died trying to protect their students. What's next A public candlelight vigil, organized by family members of the victims, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Uvalde Amphitheatre. A private event will be held earlier in the night. In 2024, the Department of Justice released a nearly 600-page report detailing the 'cascading failures' by law enforcement on May 24, 2022. Nearly 400 law enforcement officials responded to the campus, but waited for 77 minutes before entering the classroom and confronting the 18-year-old shooter. The police response included nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents and 91 state police officials, as well as school and city police. While dozens of officers stood in the hallway trying to figure out what to do, students inside the classroom called 911 on cellphones, begging for help, and desperate parents who had gathered outside the building pleaded with officers to go in. A tactical team eventually entered the classroom and killed the shooter. The report talked about the vast array of problems from failed communication and leadership, to the inadequate training and technology used by police. A private investigator hired by the city cleared Uvalde city police of missteps. Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado presented his findings in March 2024. Prado stated the department did not commit any wrongdoing or violate any policy. Former Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo and school police officer Adrian Gonzales are the only two members of law enforcement to face charges in connection to the shooting. Arredondo and Gonzales were both indicted in July 2024 on multiple counts of child endangerment. Both have pleaded not guilty. Arrendondo, the incident commander, has said he believes he was "scapegoated" for his role in the response. In December, a Texas judge refused to throw out the criminal charges against the former school police chief. Both Arrendondo and Gonzales are scheduled to go to trial in October, according to the Associated Press. This April, Uvalde City Council unanimously approved a settlement with families affected by the Robb Elementary School shooting. The passage came 11 months after the families announced they agreed to a $2 million settlement with the city. Attorneys representing the 19 families of the victims said at the time they were accepting the city insurance payment because the families did not want to hurt the financial status of the city they live in. As a part of the agreement, city leaders promised higher standards and "enhanced training" for current and future police. The city will also build a memorial to the victims and offer resources to support mental health. The city will also pay for the upkeep of the children's graves. A bill dubbed the 'Uvalde Strong Act' passed the Texas Legislature earlier this week. Texas House Rep. Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde at the time of the attack and has been actively seeking change to law enforcement policy since, says the bill would correct problems with training that led to police hesitancy in the shooting. The bill would require officers and school officials to meet annually for active shooter response plan development. It also increases officer training specifically for school shooter responses at primary and secondary school campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law. The Source Information in this article comes from past FOX reporting, Uvalde County court records, the Texas Legislature and the Department of Justice.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Uvalde DA sues Border Patrol to allow agents to testify in Robb Elementary case
The Brief Uvalde DA files suit to get Border Patrol agents to testify DA says agents' testimony is "essential" in cases against former Uvalde CISD officers Pete Arredondo, Adrian Gonzales charged with multiple counts of child endangerment UVALDE, Texas - The Uvalde District Attorney is suing the U.S. Border Patrol in an effort to get agents to testify in criminal cases related to the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary. What we know Christina Mitchell, the district attorney for the 38th Judicial District, filed the suit on May 9 in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. The lawsuit asks for judgment and relief under the Administrative Procedure Act to get the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to allow three agents to testify in the trials of former police chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales with Uvalde CISD. Arredondo and Gonzales are both facing multiple counts of felony child endangerment related to their actions during the shooting. In the filing, DA Mitchell says that the three agents' testimony is "essential to the pending Texas criminal prosecution", as two of them participated in killing the gunman and the third was present in the hallway during most of the incident. The filing also says that the request is the "culmination of District Attorney Mitchell's good faith efforts to reasonably accommodate the CBP," adding that 188 Border Patrol employees were involved in the response and that the DA had initially asked for the cooperation of 18 of those employees. Read the full lawsuit below: Click to open this PDF in a new window. Dig deeper Arredondo and Gonzales were indicted by a grand jury in June 2024, more than two years after the shooting. The indictment for Arredondo lists 10 counts of abandoning/endangering a child. Each count named a child survivor. The indictment claims Arredondo, "by act and omission, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly and with criminal negligence," placed the children in "imminent danger of bodily injury, death, physical impairment and mental impairment." The indictment accuses Arredondo of failing to identify the incident as an active shooter situation, instead calling SWAT which caused delays. The indictment also claims he failed to follow the active shooter plan developed by the school district by not establishing a command center and by prioritizing evacuation of students over stopping the shooter. READ MORE: New details for arrests of Pete Arredondo, another former Uvalde school officer Arredondo attempted to have the charges thrown out, claiming he was improperly charged and has been scapegoated for the botched response. Gonzales, who was among the first officers to arrive at the scene, has been indicted on 29 counts of abandoning or endangering a child. He is accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the shooter, even after hearing gunshots as he stood in a hallway. Each charge against Gonzales and Arredondo carries up to two years in jail if convicted. Both have pled not guilty. The backstory The shooting at Robb Elementary was one of the worst school shootings in United States history. The Department of Justice released a nearly 600-page report detailing the 'cascading failures' by law enforcement on May 24, 2022. READ MORE: 'I don't want to die,' student tells 911 dispatcher from Uvalde school during mass shooting Nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents, 91 state police officers, school and city police responded to the scene, but waited for 77 minutes before entering the classroom and killing the 18-year-old shooter. The report talked about the vast array of problems, from failed communication and leadership, to the inadequate training and technology used by police. READ MORE: Uvalde marks one year since deadly Robb Elementary mass shooting A private investigator hired by the city cleared Uvalde city police of missteps. Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado presented his findings and stated the department did not commit any wrongdoing or violate any policy. Several families of Uvalde victims have filed federal and state lawsuits against law enforcement, social media and online gaming companies and the gun manufacturer that made the rifle the gunman used. Uvalde City Council recently approved a $2 million settlement with the families of the victims. As a part of the agreement, city leaders promised higher standards and "enhanced training" for current and future police, as well as a memorial to the victims, resources to support mental health and the upkeep of the children's graves. 19 Robb Elementary students were killed in the shooting. Xavier Javier Lopez, 10 Amerie Jo Garza, 10 Uziyah Garcia, 8 Rojelio Torres, 10 Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10 Nevaeh Bravo, 10 Makenna Lee Elrod, 10 Eliahana 'Elijah Cruz' Torres, 10 Eliana 'Ellie' Garcia, 9 Alithia Ramirez, 10 Jacklyn "Jackie" Cazares, 9 Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10 Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11 Jose Flores Jr, 10 Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio, 10 Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10 Tess "Tessy" Marie Mata, 10 Maranda Gail Mathis, 11 Layla Salazar, 10 Fourth-grade co-teachers 48-year-old Irma Garcia and 44-year-old Eva Mireles were also killed. Family members said at the time that both died trying to protect their students. The Source Information in this report comes from court paperwork and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin.
