Uvalde Officials Release Police Videos, Records on 21-Death School Shooting Response

Authorities in Uvalde, Texas, have released previously withheld police body camera footage, documents, and records related to the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers. The released materials reveal a delayed law enforcement response, with nearly 400 officers waiting over an hour before confronting the gunman, leading to widespread criticism and federal investigations into police conduct and leadership during the crisis. The documents include student records of the 18-year-old gunman, showing disciplinary issues and his dropout from school months before the attack, as well as text messages and personnel files of school officers indicted for child endangerment due to their actions during the incident. These records were made public following years of legal battles initiated by media organizations and family members of the victims seeking transparency. Body camera videos capture officers debating tactics but failing to act promptly, while parents outside the school pleaded desperately for intervention. The Justice Department concluded that a faster police response likely would have saved lives, underscoring ongoing concerns about the handling of this tragedy.