Shocking Records Released from Uvalde School Shooting, Including 911 Calls and Body Camera Footage
Introduction
Recently, a wealth of disturbing records stemming from the deadliest school shooting in Texas history was released. These shocking documents recount the horrific events that transpired at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022, where 19 children and two teachers lost their lives. The records include chilling 911 calls, revealing body camera footage, text messages, and other redacted documents.
The Shooting
The 911 call transcripts illustrate the horrifying reality of the scene. Frantic calls poured into the emergency dispatch center from 11:33 a.m., reporting the presence of a shooter within the school. Calls came from terrified individuals inside the school, including a teacher who remained on the line for a heart-wrenching 28 minutes. “He’s inside the school! Oh my God in the name of Jesus, he’s inside the school shooting at the kids,” one call transcript read.
The Response
The body camera footage shows the chaos that ensued as law enforcement arrived at the scene. One clip reveals officers approaching the school, taking cautious steps, and warning one another, “Watch windows!” After learning that the shooter was armed with an AR-15, they responded with dread, one expressing the sentiment, “I hope he rots in hell.”
Unfortunately, law enforcement’s response has been heavily criticized for the time it took to intervene. They waited for more than an hour to breach the classroom.
The records provide a graphic narration of the events, intensifying the heat on law enforcement agencies for the delay in their response to the situation.
Aftermath
The release of these records comes as part of the resolution to a legal case brought forward by a coalition of media outlets for transparency. “We’re thankful the city of Uvalde is taking this step toward transparency,” said attorney Laura Prather, representing the coalition. “Transparency is necessary to help Uvalde heal and allow us to all understand what happened and learn how to prevent future tragedies.”
Criticism for the handling of the situation wasn’t limited to law enforcement. Venting frustration at the then-mayor of Uvalde, Don McLaughlin, for perceived inaction following the shooting, an anonymous email read, “Come on Don, you have to do something…You need to fire the cops involved and you know it.
While the city of Uvalde has begun to release records, other lawsuits seeking further information from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District remain pending.
Legal Action
Two Uvalde school police officers have since been charged in relationship to the botched response. Former Police Chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales stand accused of failing to respond appropriately during the event, leading to unnecessary loss of life.
With this tragic incident still fresh in the memory of Uvalde citizens and the families of the victims, the city of Uvalde, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, and law enforcement agencies involved must continue working towards transparency and ensure learnings are taken from this incident to prevent future tragedies.
