In Uvalde, Texas, a fourth-grade girl named Khloie Torres made desperate 911 calls during a school shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. The delayed police response led to the death of 19 students and two teachers, sparking outrage among families of the victims. The release of audio and video recordings of the massacre, which included body camera footage and surveillance videos, shed light on the failures of law enforcement during the incident.
Despite hundreds of officers being present at the scene, they waited more than 70 minutes before confronting the gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. The slow response led to criticism from families who lost loved ones in the shooting, including Brett Cross and Jesse Rizo, who expressed anger and frustration at the lack of accountability and transparency from authorities.
The recordings revealed chaotic radio traffic and confusion among police officers, with multiple federal and state investigations pointing to problems in training, communication, and leadership. Ramos’ uncle made emotional 911 calls pleading with his nephew to stop the shooting, but by the time the offer arrived, law enforcement had already killed Ramos.
Former Uvalde school Police Chief Pete Arredondo and former school officer Adrian Gonzales face criminal charges related to the incident, while a reinstated Texas state trooper in Uvalde has added to the controversy. Some families have called for more officers to be charged and have filed lawsuits against law enforcement, social media platforms, online gaming companies, and the gun manufacturer responsible for the rifle used in the shooting. The tragedy has highlighted the need for improvements in law enforcement response and accountability in the wake of mass shootings.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
