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Nearly one month after an active shooter took 19 lives at Robb Elementary, the mayor of Uvalde, Texas has revealed that the school will be demolished. While there is no definitive timeframe for the demolition, Mayor Don McLaughlin confirmed that the school will soon be no more.
My understanding–I had a discussion with the superintendent–that school will be demolished. You can never ask a child to go back or a teacher to go back into that school ever.”
Following the unfortunate passing of the Uvalde students, authorities became critical of the local police’s response to the shooting. Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw addressed a Texas Senate committee to speak about the response, stating that officers should not have hesitated to stop the 18-year-old gunman.
The officers had weapons; the children had none. The officers had body armor; the children had none. The officers had training; the subject had none. One hour, 14 minutes and eight seconds. That’s how long children waited, and the teachers waited, in Room 111 to be rescued.”
McCraw cited the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo as the blame for the extent of the tragedy, stating that he put the lives of his officers before the lives of the Robb students.
The only thing stopping a hallway of dedicated officers from (entering rooms) 111 and 112 was the on-scene commander who decided to place the lives of officers before the lives of children. I don’t mean to be hyper-critical of the on-scene commander. But those are the facts. This set our profession back a decade.”
McCraw also expressed frustration with the speed at which city officials have been getting updates about the shooting investigation. According to NBC News, the Texas Rangers, an agency with the Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation.
I’m very frustrated with the way they’re handling it. Very frustrated because, like I said, we’re not getting any information.”
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