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Texas authorities say local cops were wrong not to go in and stop the school shooter, despite having over a dozen officers ready

May 28, 2022, 02:56 IST
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Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas.Brandon Bell/Getty Images
  • Texas authorities said police who arrived at Robb Elementary did not confront the shooter.
  • The on-scene commander thought at the time that "there were no more children at risk."
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A Texas law enforcement official said police who arrived at Robb Elementary School didn't immediately confront the gunman because the commander thought the risk to school children was over.

"The on-scene commander at the time believed that it had transitioned from an active shooter to a barricaded subject," Director of Texas Department of Public Safety Steven McCraw said at a Friday press conference, adding that Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo "considered a barricaded subject and that there was time and there were no more children at risk."

McGraw added: "Obviously, based upon the information we have, there were children in that classroom that were at risk and it was, in fact, still an active shooter situation."

Arredondo decided at the scene that police had enough time to wait for a tactical team to confront the gunman, McGraw said.

McCraw said that, in hindsight, "of course it was not the right decision. It was the wrong decision. There is no excuse for that."

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"When there's an active shooter, the rules change," McGraw said. "You don't have time."

While the 18-year-old gunman was barricaded in the classroom, he massacred 19 children and two adults — marking the deadliest shooting at an elementary school since Sandy Hook in 2012.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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