There were several missed opportunities to stop the massacre at Robb Elementary School before it started, a new assessment of law enforcement’s response to the Uvalde shooting said Wednesday, while also providing some new details.
A Uvalde police officer was at the scene where the suspect, Salvador Ramos, crashed his car. The officer had a rifle and aimed to shoot the shooter, but stopped to ask for permission.
“The UPD officer heard no response and turned to get confirmation from his supervisor. When he turned to address the suspect, the suspect had already entered through the west hall exterior door at 11:33:00 a.m.,” according to the Texas State University Law Enforcement Advanced Rapid Response Training evaluation.
“In this case, the UPD officer would have heard gunshots and/or reports of shots fired and observed an individual approaching the school building armed with a rifle,” the assessment said. “A reasonable officer would conclude in this case, based on the totality of the circumstances, that the use of deadly force was justified.”
Thirty-two seconds after entering the school, Ramos walked into classroom 111, according to the assessment.
“Children’s screams were immediately heard along with numerous gunshots in the classrooms. The rate of gunfire was initially very rapid, then slowed down, lasting only a few seconds,” the assessment said.
Five seconds later, the suspect exited the classroom, stepped into the hallway, and then re-entered room 111.
Law enforcement personnel secure the scene of a suspected shooting near Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 24, 2022.
Marco Bello/Reuters
“The suspect then re-enters what appears to be classroom 111 and continues to fire what is estimated to be over 100 rounds by 11:36:04 (according to the audio analysis). During the shooting, the sounds of children’s screams and cries can be heard,” the assessment says.
Twenty-one people, including 19 children, were killed in the attack.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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