On Sunday, the Department of Justice said it would probe the failed response of the Uvalde Police Department after Tuesday’s massacre left 21 dead.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin requested the investigation after growing evidence that local police hesitated, waiting for 90-minutes before eliminating the suspect.
“The goal of the review is to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and responses that day and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events,” said DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley.
“As with prior Justice Department after-action reviews of mass shootings and other critical incidents, this assessment will be fair, transparent, and independent. The Justice Department will publish a report with its findings at the conclusion of its review.”
As 911 call logs emerge with children begging for help, Uvalde police officials struggle to explain why they didn’t breach the school. Conflicting reports of fearing they would be shot, thinking it was a barricaded gunman, not a hostage or active shooter situation, or attempting to evacuate as many other students as possible have not helped the department’s case.
Texas Department of Public Safety Chief Steven McCraw said at a press conference Friday that it was evident that local police did not follow proper procedures.
“Of course, it was not the right decision! Every officer lines up, stacks up. Goes and finds where the rounds are being fired at and keeps shooting unit the subject is dead period,” McCraw said.
