As new details emerge that change the police narrative of what happened during the Robb Elementary School massacre last week, the school district police chief who led the law enforcement response had not responded to investigators for two days, a public safety official said Tuesday.
Uvalde school district police department chief Pete Arredondo, who was sworn in as a newly elected city council member Tuesday, did an initial interview with the Texas Rangers, which is investigating the May 24 shooting, but hasn’t responded for a follow-up interview in two days, said Travis Considine, spokesperson for Texas Department of Public Safety, on Tuesday.
However, Arredondo said Wednesday he was “in contact” with the Department of Public Safety “every day,” when asked about the reports by CNN. The network reported Arredondo was wearing a badge and gun Wednesday, and that Arredondo said the city council swearing in was “a private thing.”
Meanwhile, state authorities now say that the teacher who police said left a door propped open minutes before the gunman entered the school and killed 19 children and two teachers had actually closed the door, though it did not lock.
Wednesday, more services were scheduled in Uvalde, with funerals planned for Jose Flores Jr., 10, and teacher Irma Garcia, 48. Garcia’s husband, Joe Garcia, 50, who died suddenly after visiting a memorial site at the school, will also be laid to rest.
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Here’s what we know.
Uvalde school police chief not responding to investigators
Arredondo, the school district police chief in charge of the law enforcement response to the elementary school shooting, has not responded to the Texas Rangers in two days for a follow-up interview, Considine told the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Tuesday.
“Uvalde and Uvalde (Consolidated Independent School District) departments have been cooperating with investigators,” Considine said. “The chief of the CISD did an initial interview but has not responded to a request for a follow up interview that was made two days ago.”
Arredondo’s comments to CNN on Wednesday countered that claim. “I am in contact with DPS everyday,” he told CNN. Arredondo also said he would not be releasing more information as funerals for the shooting’s victims are ongoing.
“We’re going to be respectful to the family,” he told CNN. “We’re going to do that eventually. Whenever this is done and the families quit grieving, then we’ll do that obviously.”
The Rangers are investigating the law enforcement response to the shooting, which did not appear to follow standard police procedures for an active shooter.
Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety Steven McCraw said Friday that it was “the wrong decision” not to confront the gunman after two officers received grazing wounds following an initial encounter.
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Teacher closed door gunman used to enter school, authorities now say
The teacher who police said left a door propped open minutes before a gunman entered Robb Elementary School had actually closed the door, though it did not lock, state authorities now say.
State police initially said the teacher, who has not been identified, propped the door open with a rock and did not remove it before the gunman entered.
“We did verify she closed the door. The door did not lock. We know that much and now investigators are looking into why it did not lock,” Considine said Tuesday.
Officials have offered differing accounts of how the May 24 shooting unfolded, including details about officers’ interactions with the gunman and how long it took for law enforcement to enter the classrooms where he was holed up.
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— Jeanine Santucci
Amerie Jo Garza is the first victim laid to rest
Amerie Jo Garza had a heart of gold. She also was named to the school honor roll. Those who knew her described her as a kind, caring, blunt, loving, sweet, sassy and funny little diva who “hated dresses.”
On Tuesday, family and friends laid her to rest. She was 10 years old.
Amerie was the first victim to be buried, starting several weeks of funerals in the South Texas city overwhelmed by sadness and pain.
From outside Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, sirens echoed as the funeral procession made its way to the church. Attendees arriving at the church were mostly wearing purple. It was Amerie’s favorite color.
At least two people attending the funeral were wearing green Girl Scout vests. Last week, the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas awarded Garza a bronze cross medal, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a Girl Scout. The award is reserved for Girl Scouts who exhibit extraordinary heroism or have risked their life to save another person.
In a heartbreaking interview with CNN, her stepfather, Angel Garza, said that two of her friends had confirmed that during the shooting she had tried to call 911 before she was killed.
— Luz Moreno-Lozano and Niki Griswold, Austin American-Statesman
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