The police response to the Uvalde school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers was “an abject failure”, in which a commander put the lives of officers over those of the victims, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said on Tuesday.
Police actions after the gunman entered Robb Elementary School and began shooting have come under close scrutiny amid anguished parents' anger over the slow response.
Survivors, including children, were calling emergency services from the classroom long after the killer had entered with an AR-15 semi-automatic-style rifle, while police officers stood in the hallway outside the room, waiting for backup and tactical gear.
“There is compelling evidence that the law enforcement response to the attack at Robb Elementary was an abject failure and antithetical to everything we've learnt,” Mr McCraw said at a Texas Senate hearing on the May 24 mass shooting.
“Three minutes after the subject entered the west building, there was a sufficient number of armed officers wearing body armour to isolate, distract and neutralise the subject,” Mr McCraw added.
“The only thing stopping a hallway of dedicated officers from entering Room 111 and 112 was the on-scene commander, who decided to place the lives of officers before the lives of children,” the director said in the hearing.
Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde school district police chief, said earlier this month he never considered himself the incident commander at the scene and that he did not order police to hold back on breaching the building.
Community members along with parents of the victims urged Mr Arredondo to resign during an impassioned school board meeting on Monday night, ABC News reported.
- With Reuters
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now