UVALDE, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Uvalde's top elected official is pushing back against a report that said a city police officer had a chance to stop the gunman at Robb Elementary before his deadly rampage began.
"The report by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center (ALERRT) does not give a complete and accurate account of what happened at Robb Elementary School," said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin in a statement released Friday.
The ALERRT report, released on Wednesday, said that law enforcement personnel missed at least three opportunities to slow or stop the gunman before he shot and killed 19 students and two teachers.
McLaughlin disputes one facet of the ALERRT report, which said a Uvalde Police officer armed with a rifle had the gunman in the sight of his rifle - but he sought permission from a supervisor to take the shot. Instead, McLaughlin says no Uvalde Police officer saw the shooter before he entered the school, and the officer in question saw someone else - not the gunman.
Related
"A Uvalde Police officer saw someone outside, but was unsure of who he saw and observed children in the area as well," said McLaughlin. "Ultimately, it was a coach with children on the playground, not the shooter."
McLaughlin has criticized state leaders, including Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, for releasing "piecemeal" information on the investigation - and ignoring failures by DPS personnel on the scene.
In the statement, McLaughlin states that DPS troopers were "onsite and at the door of Robb Elementary School approximately 3 minutes after the shooter entered the building," which does not line up with the ALERRT report's timeline nor testimony given to the Texas Senate's hearing on the shooting.
"There were dozens of DPS troopers onsite by the time of the breach in the classroom," said McLaughlin.
"The premature release of piecemeal information or anything related to the May 24 DPS/Texas Rangers investigation is a disservice to families who lost children or parents because the true facts need to come out once all investigation/reviews, which the City expects will be thorough and fair, are complete," said McLaughlin. "I firmly believe it is imperative the families are provided with complete, unbiased, and comprehensive information about this incident."
McLaughlin's statement notes that both the Uvalde County District Attorney and DPS have asked the City to refrain from releasing any of its records related to the ongoing investigation. "The District Attorney advised the investigative material is still being reviewed and her investigation is ongoing. When all investigations and reviews are complete, the City will evaluate release of City records," the statement reads.
Related
