UVALDE, Texas — The Justice Department said Sunday it will review the law enforcement response to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 students and two teachers dead.
This review is being done amid increasing pressures and questions regarding shifting, sometimes contradictory, information concerning the Robb Elementary School shooting and the police response.
Anthony Coley, a spokesperson for the Justice Department said that the review would take place in an impartial and fair manner. The findings will be published.
The review is being conducted at the request of Uvalde’s mayor, officials said.
In a statement, Coley said the goal of the review is “to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and response that day, and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events.”
Handling the review is the department’s Office of Community Policing Services.
It is uncommon for such a review to be performed. Most after-action reports resulting from mass shootings are generally prepared by outside agencies and local law enforcement.
On Friday, authorities revealed that teachers and students repeatedly pleaded for 911 operator help while a commander of police told over a dozen officers to remain in the school’s hallway. Officials claimed that the commander thought the suspect was in a nearby classroom, and there wasn’t an active threat.
This revelation caused even more grief, and brought up new questions regarding whether officers failed to act quicker in stopping the gunman. He was eventually killed by Border Patrol tactical police officers.
Biden did not speak publicly on the response of the police to the shooting.
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