U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that adherence to standard active-shooter protocols could have saved lives, stating, “Had law enforcement followed generally accepted practices in an active-shooter situation and gone right after the shooter to stop him, lives would have been saved, and people would have survived.”
Arredondo and Gonzales were among the first law enforcement officers on the scene. As they approached the classrooms, the shooter fired several shots through the door and wall, injuring two officers.
In response, law enforcement called for backup and additional protective equipment. Despite these efforts, about 20 minutes after the shooting began, Arredondo decided against entering the classrooms, opting instead to clear the building and plan a negotiation strategy.
Investigations End in Charges
An investigation conducted by the city revealed that Uvalde police officers were prepared to enter the classrooms once they had protective shields, but Arredondo’s decision ultimately prevented this action.
