SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Families of the victims of the tragic 2022 Robb elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are expressing their dissatisfaction after the indictment of the former Uvalde school police chief. Pete Arredondo and former police officer Adrian Gonzales were both indicted on multiple counts of felony child endangerment and abandonment, leaving the families feeling that justice has not been fully served.
Speaking to NBC, family members of the victims emphasized the ongoing pain and sorrow they continue to endure. The tragic incident on May 24, 2022, resulted in the loss of 19 children and two teachers, with an additional 17 individuals sustaining injuries. The delayed police response during the shooting, as highlighted in a report by the justice department, has left many questions unanswered for the grieving families.
Uncle of 9-year-old victim Jacklyn Cazares, Jesse Rizo, expressed frustration over the limited number of indictments, questioning why only two individuals faced charges. The families strongly believe that more accountability is needed and are urging for further legal action against those who may have been involved in the shortcomings that led to the devastating outcome.
Kimberly Rubio, the mother of 10-year-old Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, stressed that while the indictments are a step forward, they do not equate to true justice. The families see the charges as just the beginning and are hopeful for convictions that reflect the severity of the losses they have suffered.
Brett Cross, father of 10-year-old victim Uziyah Garcia, called the indictments “two out of 376% justice,” underscoring the discontent with the limited scope of legal actions taken thus far. The families are adamant about seeking accountability from all parties involved in the flawed response to the school shooting.
The release of a federal report earlier this year further shed light on the failures in the law enforcement response at Robb elementary school. The report detailed a lack of urgency, mishaps in the initial response, and delays in identifying the attack as an active shooter situation, exacerbating the tragedy for the victims and their families.
Additionally, the victims’ families have filed wrongful-death lawsuits against various entities, alleging their complicity in enabling the shooting. The legal actions target Instagram, Activision, and weapons manufacturer Daniel Defense, citing their roles in influencing the shooter’s actions and facilitating access to weapons.
The ongoing struggle for justice and accountability continues for the families of the Uvalde school shooting victims, who remain resolute in their pursuit of closure and restitution for the lives lost in the tragic incident.