‘There is no coverup’ | Uvalde mayor says records related to school shooting will not be released

UVALDE, Texas — Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin introduced a assertion Tuesday indicating documents connected to the May perhaps 24’s shooting at Robb Elementary will not be released.

The statement claims the Uvalde District Attorney requested the Metropolis of Uvalde not release any proof associated to the legislation enforcement response right until all investigations are accomplished, at which level leaders will assess the applicable substance. 

The mayor’s assertion comes as heavy scrutiny carries on in the aftermath of the May 24 taking pictures, when an 18-yr-old gunman armed with an AR-15 entered Robb Elementary Faculty and killed 19 students and two academics. Investigators are concentrating on what took place in the 77 minutes that handed concerning when the gunman entered the classroom and when officers stormed the place to take him down.

The mayor’s statement also claims the town needs to make certain that any data produced is comprehensive and thorough and “not a release of piecemeal or incomplete and inaccurate information.” 

On Monday, KENS 5 sister station KVUE obtained the 1st surveillance photograph the general public has found from the May possibly 24 capturing. On Tuesday, Texas Division of Community Security Director Steve McCraw spoke at a Texas Senate unique legislative committee listening to, indicating the Uvalde District Attorney also requested DPS not release nearly anything from the investigation nonetheless. At the hearing, McCraw also condemned legislation enforcement’s response to the shooting, calling it an “abject failure.”

In his statement, Mayor McLaughlin says there are “certain lawful causes” that products from the investigation are becoming withheld at this time. See the total assertion below:

“We have an understanding of news businesses have a occupation to do. For now, we will not be commenting on the investigation or reacting to each individual tale attributed to unnamed resources or resources shut to the investigation. The Uvalde District Legal professional has requested the City not launch any data linked to her investigation. The Texas Occupations Code also restricts release of body cam. All thoughts relating to physique cam films and other Robb Elementary School investigative documents should really be directed to the Uvalde County District Attorney and the Texas Department of Community Security/Texas Rangers. 

“The untimely launch of anything at all associated to the May 24 Department of Public Security (DPS)/Texas Rangers investigation or Vital Incident Assessment by the Office of Justice is a disservice to people who shed young children or moms and dads because the true points need to have to appear out as soon as all investigations/evaluations, which the Metropolis expects will be complete and honest, are comprehensive. 

“To day, the DPS and the Uvalde County District Lawyer has not furnished the City with any facts on their investigation. The Metropolis would like to make certain completeness of the details provided, not a launch of piecemeal or incomplete and inaccurate information and facts. Information and facts that has been unveiled has not appear from the Metropolis and it is evident that what has been released is incomplete. 

“The Town of Uvalde and its Police Office attempt for transparency each day and will appraise release of Metropolis documents similar to this investigation when correct. Remember to be knowledgeable that the Law Firm of Denton, Navarro, Rocha, Bernal & Zech, has an legal professional customer relationship with the Town of Uvalde, Texas, like its officials and associates, and are for that reason prohibited below the Texas Regulations governing legal professionals from delivering or sharing any details about the legal illustration of the Town with customers of the general public, which includes members of the information media. 

“There is no coverup. Any person who indicates the City of Uvalde is withholding facts without having respectable and lawful reasons is improper and is spreading misinformation. There are certain legal explanations the Metropolis are unable to release information and facts at this time. For the past thirty day period, my variety a single precedence is a clear and extensive investigation to give our grieving households the responses they should have. And, to ideally stop a further local community from having to live by way of a tragedy like this.”