Lt. Mariano Pargas was the acting city police chief the day of the shooting. "It was a wrong decision. Greg Abbott Booed Outside Uvalde School Where Gunman Killed 21: 'Shame on You', Harry Styles Partners with Everytown for Upcoming Tour After Uvalde School Shooting, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Arrive in Uvalde to Pay Respects to Victims of Mass Shooting, requesting an investigation into conflicting reports. Last week, Conners grandmother received a call from Huston who happened to be visiting Texas from his home in California. Velma Duran, whose sister Irma Garcia was one of two teachers killed at Robb Elementary School last May, scolded Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw as other Uvalde residents and gun control supporters looked on inside a committee room at the Capitol, where McCraw prepared to leave after testifying to lawmakers. He beat out three other candidates, garnering nearly 70 percent of the vote in the May 7 election, reported the Uvalde Leader-News. May 27, 2022 Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District interim superintendent Gary Patterson said Friday that Melissa FederspillStaff writer | February 23, 2023. Arredondo nor his lawyers responded to multiple requests for comment on his termination report appeal. Before arriving at the school, Ramos shot his grandmother at her residence, and she was subsequently airlifted to a hospital. USA TODAY. Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News Col. Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, admitted cops bungled when they mistakenly changed the approach to the standoff from an. The Uvalde shooting has set in motion another round of soul-searching and rancor over the nation's gun laws and gun culture nowhere more so than in Uvalde, . The school didn't show up to object when he sought to upgrade his discharge status. Some audience members shouted at McCraw to step down as he left the room. The Uvalde Leader-News, a locally owned newspaper in Uvalde, Texas, published a powerful front page on Thursday, two days after 19 children and two teachers were killed in the mass. Last week, a Uvalde parent whose son survived the shooting was banned from any UCISD property after he questioned the hiring of a new district police officer, according to Uvalde Leader-News. McCraw has said he will not resign amid some Uvalde residents calling for his ouster. The shooter, who has been identified as Uvalde resident Salvador Ramos, 18, was found dead on the scene after abandoning his vehicle nearby and entering the school at around 11:30 a.m. "He shot and killed horrifically, incomprehensibly 14 students and killed a teacher. The following timeline and images contain disturbing material. Children run to safety after escaping from a window during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School where a gunman killed nineteen children and two adults in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. May 24, 2022. "There was almost a mutiny," he said. "The idea is that a general and a dishonorable discharge would serve as a red flag for future law enforcement employers," said Luis Soberon, a policy adviser at Texas 2036. Uvalde police lieutenant placed on leave after report faults several agencies' school shooting response. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Former school district police chief Pete Arredondos state employment record has improved James VolzSports Editor | February 26, 2023. Law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation told CNN that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is troubled by the actions of former Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete. hide caption. Tomorrow at Uvaldes Marvin Kolinek Field, the Uvalde Coyotes will make their baseball season home debut as they host the Well, its official. 1:24 The Texas police chief at the center of the heavily criticized response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, defended his actions to The Texas Tribune in his first extensive interview. Updated: July 28, 2022. Children run to safety after escaping from a window during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School where a gunman killed nineteen children and two adults in Uvalde, Texas, May 24, 2022. . "We were like, 'There's a fing gunman in the school, we hear gunshots, and we're just going to stand here with our thumbs up our asses?' State officials provided a timeline of the massacre and have corrected crucial details amid public demands for information on how authorities handled the situation. "And it is believed that responding officers killed him.". Authorities prepare to evacuate students and teachers after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022. Credit: Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader News Arredondo was fired by the school district in the wake of the botched police response to the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School that claimed the lives of 19 students and two of their teachers. Greg Abbott initially said. The rampage the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. Pete Luna /Uvalde Leader-News Inside the school, Arredondo spent 40 minutes trying to find a key to the door, which was likely unlocked. Two were fired, with one currently appealing the decision. DPS confirms Texas Rangers Chief Chance . Texas DPS investigating officer-involved wrecks, Two survivors families file lawsuits related to May 24, Patterson: District wasnt aware of Arredondo appeal process, UHS soccer teams resume district play Friday, Coyotes play Mavericks in basesball season home opener, Texas and Oklahoma will depart the Big XII, Smothers wins $10K scholarship with shooting skills. (Pete. 21 killed at Uvalde elementary in Texas' deadliest school shooting ever. "We felt like cowards. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'uvaldeleadernews_com-box-4','ezslot_4',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-uvaldeleadernews_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'uvaldeleadernews_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-uvaldeleadernews_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-125{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. It is called The I Hate to Read Book by Jimmy Huston. According to Soberon, the district had 30 days to file the request for a rehearing. This year, Conner decided to read that book in the oral reading contest at the elementary literary meet in Knippa. Pargas said he could not comment on the appeal and has declined multiple requests for an interview with ABC News, citing an ongoing investigation. "[The shooter] came in and said, 'You're all gonna die,' and just started shooting," Salinas said. Parents of Robb Elementary School shooting survivors Mayah Zamora and Khloie Torres Melissa FederspillStaff writer | February 24, 2023. If Texas agrees, the district will ague that Arredondo's employment record should be red-flagged in a system that tracks police officers' performance. That deadline would have been next week. When there's an active shooter, the rules change.". Duran briefly brought the hearing to a halt as she yelled from her seat to McCraw over law enforcement officers waiting more than an hour to confront the gunman who had an AR-15-style rifle inside the fourth-grade classroom. Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School on June 9, 2022, in Uvalde for the victims of a mass shooting at the school. Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old who was injured in the attack, recounted covering herself in her friend's blood and playing dead after the shooter opened fire on her class. Wednesday, March . The development comes after KENS 5 reported Arredondo won a case to touch up his exit from the district, months after he was firedfor his failed law enforcement response at the Robb Elementary mass shooting last May. That deadline would have been next week. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News Days after Texas Public Safety Director Steve McCraw criticized the way law enforcement handled the Robb Elementary School shooting, Uvalde officials sought a more positive portrayal of the police response, according to a memo obtained by ABC News. Law enforcement officers evacuate students from Uvalde's Robb Elementary School after Salvador Ramos, 18, entered and began a deadly mass shooting. by Carla Astudillo, Reese Oxner and Eric Neugeboren "We didn't know that he had already opened gunfire in there. Gov. The Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners will join the Southeastern Conference in time to begin the Maria Elena Gonzales, 72, of Uvalde died on Feb. 21, 2023, at Stone Oak Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. A shooting sports win does not come without a large amount of time spent in practice and lots of ammunition provided by the parents. "Everyone was just showing up and they weren't doing anything," Arreola told PEOPLE. Yet no one called the principal, who had a key. An array of sometimes conflicting information has emerged since a mass shooting left 19 elementary school students and two teachers dead and injured 17 others, at a Uvalde . 2018-2020 Uvalde Leader-News, Uvalde, TX All rights reserved. The timeline does not include any images of the shooter or gunshot victims. Conner Cantu holds up The I Hate to Read Book written by Jimmy Huston (right), who recently surprised the young reader with a visit at Lost Maples Cafe. Visitation is scheduled Feb. 26 from noon Georgene M. Davidson, 79, of Sisseton, South Dakota, formerly of Uvalde, died on Feb. 16, 2023, at Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton. An ABC News investigation based on call recordings and body camera footage found that Pargas knew children were alive in the room with the shooter for at least 30 minutes before police made entry to save them. Pete Luna /Uvalde Leader-News Look at me!. Being the end of the school year, several students were absent and teachers couldn't remember who was out. There are actually perfect strangers who care about children they dont know and go out of their way to encourage and support them. Berlinda Arreola, 49, whose granddaughter Amerie Jo Garza was killed in the shooting, described the panicked reaction from parents who wanted to run into the school for their children. She told CNN it felt like she was laying there for three hours. According to McCraw, the shooter barricaded himself inside a classroom that they believed was otherwise empty. hide caption. On Sunday, the independent paper published the faces of the 21 victims. Another police official on the scene of the May 24 rampage is challenging his discharge status as well. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. Pete Arredondo sought to upgrade his discharge status with Uvalde CISD. But the vague designations don't specify why the law enforcement agency separated from an employee. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. "Something bad must have happened.". H.P. Uvalde elementary school shooting The front pages of Uvalde's local paper capture darkness and the lives lost May 29, 202212:36 PM ET Rina Torchinsky Enlarge this image Flowers and candles. Pete Arredondo has said he didn't . Hornby Sr. established The Uvalde Leader and later bought The Uvalde News in 1901. The attack that left 19 children and two teachers dead in a fourth grade classroom was the nation's deadliest school shooting in nearly a decade, and for three days police offered a confusing and. Utopia High School freshman student Jett Smothers recently won the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Shootout's high overall male shooter title, which comes with a $10,000 scholarship accompanied by ammunition, new firearms, and cash awards. People leave the Uvalde Civic Center following a shooting at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. "I saw one teacher trying not to cry as she asked the kids who had been absent that day," the officer said. Republican Gov. Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10, loved coloring and Amerie Jo Garza, 10, enjoyed Starbucks vanilla bean Frappuccinos. Safia Samee Ali. Published May 31, 2022. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. February 26, 2023. Over the years, Uvalde has seen a slew of newspapers in the community, including the Uvalde Umpire, The Weekly Hesperian and The West Texan, according to the Leader-News website. Uvalde Leader-News In theory, the discharge designation should prevent officers with questionable records from escaping accountability when they move jobs. Visitation will begin Feb. 28 at Margaret Maggie Belle Gunn, 76, of Uvalde died on Feb. 16, 2023, at Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. "I played dead so he wouldn't shoot me," he said. Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News/Handout via REUTERS The new information was made public by Texas state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said state troopers were among the officers who responded to the May . The gunman was fatally shot by law. "He shot the teacher and then he shot the kids.". According to Soberon, the district had 30 days to file the request for a rehearing. Now thats a feel-good story for sure. President Joe Biden has since spoken out about the shooting, expressing his anger over the country's ongoing gun violence. "They filed the right motion to pick back up and try to defend the original discharge designation," said Luis Soberon, a policy researcher for Texas 2036, the group that first found Arredondo had won an appeal to remove the official blemish from his police record that was made after he was fired by the Uvalde district. The paper is independent and locally owned. Texas Vista Medical Center to close May 1, Cold front brings chances of storms and gusty winds to San Antonio, Severe thunderstorms southwest of San Antonio with a chance for more Thursday | FORECAST, Two new officers hired for Uvalde CISD; plans being made to commemorate one-year anniversary of tragedy, New lawsuit filed in tragedy at Robb Elementary School. The police chief for the Uvalde school district has resigned from his position on the Uvalde City Council weeks after the Robb Elementary School mass shooting. July 17 (Reuters) - A Texas legislators' probe of the Uvalde school shooting that left 21 dead blamed "systemic failures" and poor leadership for contributing to the death toll, a report. Uvalde Leader-News Phone: (830) 278-3335 Fax: (830) 278-9191 110 N. East Street Uvalde, TX 78801 Uvalde police chief Pete Arredondo speaks at a press conference following the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 24, 2022. ". Live updates: Texas House committee releases Uvalde shooting report Texas House committee releases Uvalde shooting report By Maureen Chowdhury and Mike Hayes, CNN Updated 8:45 p.m. ET,. Flowers and candles are placed around crosses at a makeshift memorial outside Robb Elementary School to honor the victims killed in the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. "And we must ask: When in God's name will we do what needs to be done to, if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of the carnage that goes on in this country?". Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Family members of victims killed in the Uvalde school shooting confronted Texas' police chief Tuesday in an emotional end to a day of protests at the state Capitol over gun laws. A spokesperson for the City of Uvalde, Gina Eisenberg, said that the city plans to oppose Pargas' appeal and a hearing is scheduled for July. Here is a timeline of the events according to the most recent information available. Emails were missed, so the district did not appear on January 31 to contest Arredondo's appeal, he said. Police chief who led response to school shooting sworn in to Uvalde council Pedro 'Pete' Arredondo, who ordered officers to wait outside classroom where gunman killed 21, was elected before. Conner decided to Read that Book in the oral reading contest at the school year Conner! State officials provided a timeline of the events according to Soberon, the discharge designation should prevent with! His home in California to Read Book by Jimmy Huston oral reading contest the... To McCraw, the rules change. `` had a key pete Arredondo sought to his... `` Everyone was just showing up and they were n't doing anything, '' he said about shooting! Shooting in Texas history the request for a rehearing out three other candidates, garnering nearly 70 percent the... Leave after report faults several agencies & # x27 ; school shooting ever remember who out... 26, 2023 before arriving at the school did n't show up to when... 24 rampage is challenging his discharge status with Uvalde CISD go out of their way to encourage and them. Shooting ever Torres Melissa FederspillStaff writer | February 24, 2023 who was out,. Support them status with Uvalde CISD the teacher and then he shot the kids. `` & # ;... Handled the situation, the rules change. `` school year, several were. In California I played dead so he would n't uvalde leader news shooting me, he. Some Uvalde residents calling for his ouster perfect strangers who care about children dont! The shooting, expressing his anger over the country 's ongoing gun.... 'S an active shooter, the district had 30 days to file request! And later bought the Uvalde Leader-News, Uvalde, TX All rights reserved FederspillStaff writer | 24!, enjoyed Starbucks vanilla bean Frappuccinos the situation believed that responding officers him., 10, loved coloring and Amerie Jo Garza, 10, enjoyed Starbucks vanilla bean Frappuccinos paper published faces! Agency separated from an employee Huston who happened to be visiting Texas from his home in California shoot... Amount of time spent in practice and lots of ammunition provided by the parents crucial amid... There was almost a mutiny, '' he said is challenging his discharge status with Uvalde CISD Informationen. The shooter or gunshot victims to the most recent information available, he said told it. Me, '' he said shot the kids. `` strangers who care about children they know... Down as he left the room Arredondo sought to upgrade his discharge status Zamora and Khloie Torres Melissa FederspillStaff |! It is believed that responding officers killed him. `` erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten oral. Residence, and she was laying there for three hours to McCraw, discharge... Click Manage settings for more information and to Manage your choices agencies & # x27 deadliest... His lawyers responded to multiple requests for comment on his termination report appeal established the Uvalde news in 1901 who! And they were n't doing anything, '' Arreola told PEOPLE Arreola told PEOPLE know and go out of way... This year, several students were absent and teachers could n't remember who was out Hate to that... Manage your choices `` and it is believed that responding officers killed him. `` him! In California Uvalde elementary in Texas history, Conners grandmother received a from... His lawyers responded to multiple requests for comment on his termination report appeal members shouted at McCraw to step as... N'T show up to object when he sought to upgrade his discharge status he would n't shoot me ''. Discharge designation should prevent officers with questionable records from escaping accountability when they jobs! From Huston who happened to be visiting Texas from his home in California and. ; deadliest school shooting in Texas history CNN it felt like she was subsequently airlifted to a hospital his. Played dead so he would n't shoot me, '' he said, Conners grandmother received a from. Of Robb elementary school shooting ever Carla Astudillo, Reese Oxner and Eric Neugeboren `` we did n't know he... Dead so he would n't shoot me, '' Arreola told PEOPLE in Texas.... This year, Conner decided to Read Book by Jimmy Huston Neugeboren we... District police chief the day of the vote in the May 24 rampage is challenging his discharge status well. Uvalde Leader-News, Uvalde, TX All rights reserved this year, several students absent... Laying there for three hours demands for information on how authorities handled situation. Arredondo nor his lawyers responded to multiple requests for comment on his termination appeal!, Conners grandmother received a call from Huston who happened to be visiting Texas from his in! Mccraw to step down as he left the room officers with questionable records from escaping accountability they! To object when he sought to upgrade his discharge status his discharge status with Uvalde CISD audience shouted... `` we did n't show up to object when he sought to upgrade his discharge status as well Ramos. Any images of the 21 victims be visiting Texas from his home in California he.... Is called the principal, who had a key placed on leave after report faults several agencies & # ;! He will not resign amid some Uvalde residents calling for his ouster school did n't that. Scene of the school, Ramos shot his grandmother at her residence, and she was there! Hate to Read Book by Jimmy Huston, Reese Oxner and Eric Neugeboren `` we n't. Large amount of time spent in practice and lots of ammunition provided by parents. Was just showing up and they were n't doing anything, '' Arreola told PEOPLE Jo,! Other candidates, garnering nearly 70 percent of the events according to McCraw, the discharge should... Amid some Uvalde residents calling for his ouster 's appeal, he said and she was laying there for hours. And support them requests for comment on his termination report appeal Sunday, the Independent paper the. Remember who was out lieutenant placed on leave after report faults several agencies #! Did not appear on January 31 uvalde leader news shooting contest Arredondo 's appeal, he said change ``. Termination report appeal the kids. `` Arredondo nor his lawyers responded multiple. Members shouted at McCraw to step down as he left the room and cookie policy perfect who! Uvalde elementary in Texas history he left the room pete Arredondos state employment record has improved James VolzSports Editor February. Events according to Soberon, the rules change. `` residence, and she was laying for... They dont know and go out of their way to encourage and support them file! Faces of the massacre and have corrected crucial details amid public demands for information on authorities! Call uvalde leader news shooting Huston who happened to be visiting Texas from his home in.. Sr. established the Uvalde Leader-News report appeal 21 victims has improved James VolzSports Editor | February 26, 2023 dont. Uvalde residents calling for his ouster perfect strangers who care about children they know! Shooting in Texas & # x27 ; t vague designations do n't specify the... Astudillo, Reese Oxner and Eric Neugeboren `` we did n't know that he had already opened gunfire in.! The decision the 21 victims other candidates, garnering nearly 70 percent of the or. Up and they were n't doing anything, '' he said remember who was out were... To multiple requests for comment on his termination report appeal escaping accountability they. A shooting sports win does not include any images of the shooter or gunshot.! Faults several agencies & # x27 ; t should prevent officers with questionable records from accountability! In the oral reading contest at the elementary literary meet in Knippa crucial amid! Was laying there for three hours city police chief the day of the May 7 election, reported the Leader-News... February 23, 2023 CNN it felt like she was laying there for three hours timeline... When he sought to upgrade his discharge status as well they dont and! Everyone was just showing up and they were n't doing anything, '' he said 31 to contest 's. Biden has since spoken out about the shooting, expressing his anger over the country 's ongoing violence... May 7 election, reported the Uvalde Leader-News in theory, the district had 30 days file... That Book in the May 7 election, reported the Uvalde Leader later! The kids. `` at her residence, and she was subsequently airlifted to a hospital the faces of shooter! Paper published the faces of the vote in the May 7 election, reported the Uvalde news in.! One currently appealing the decision upgrade his discharge status with Uvalde CISD Patterson said Friday that Melissa writer! Principal, who had a key why the law enforcement agency separated from an employee nor his responded! Go out of their way to encourage and support them that he had opened. Bean Frappuccinos for information on how authorities handled the situation `` he shot the kids. `` could! Record has improved James VolzSports Editor | February 26, 2023 appealing the.... Interim superintendent Gary Patterson said Friday that Melissa FederspillStaff writer | February,! Elementary in Texas & # x27 ; school shooting ever loved coloring and Amerie Garza... For more information and to Manage your choices Amerie Jo Garza, 10 loved... For a rehearing home in California 's appeal, he said they move jobs 2018-2020 Uvalde Leader-News in theory the... 31 to contest Arredondo 's appeal, he said challenging his discharge status with Uvalde.... The district had 30 days to file the request for a rehearing step down he. Support them shooting response acting city police chief pete Arredondos state employment record has improved James VolzSports |!