UVALDE, Texas – Families of the 19 victims of the tragic elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are preparing to hold a news conference marking the upcoming two-year anniversary of the devastating incident. On May 24, 2022, a teenage gunman entered Robb Elementary School, claiming the lives of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
Legal representation for some of the Uvalde families comes from attorney Josh Koskoff from Connecticut, known for his involvement in securing a $1.4 billion defamation judgement against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and a $73 million settlement with gunmaker Remington on behalf of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims’ families.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed surrounding the Uvalde shooting, including a December 2022 lawsuit seeking at least $27 billion against local and state police, the city, and other relevant authorities. Additionally, two lawsuits have been initiated against Georgia-based gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, who produced the AR-style rifle used in the shooting.
Criticism has been directed at the police response to the mass shooting, prompting scrutiny from state and federal authorities. Over 370 law enforcement officers took over 70 minutes to confront the shooter, while terrified students inside the classroom called 911 for help.
A Justice Department report highlighted “cascading failures” in training, communication, leadership, and technology that contributed to the tragedy. Another report, commissioned by the city, acknowledged missteps by law enforcement but defended the actions of local police, leading to frustration from the victims’ families.
A criminal investigation, led by Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell, is ongoing to assess the police response to the shooting. A grand jury was convened earlier this year, with law enforcement officials called to testify in the proceedings. The incident continues to spark discussions around law enforcement protocols and response strategies in similar situations.