Families of Uvalde School Shooting Victims File $2 Million Lawsuit for Mishandled Law Enforcement Response

On Wednesday, the families of 19 casualties of the Uvalde elementary school firing in Texas declared a lawsuit against almost 100 state police officers involved in the erroneous law enforcement response.

Victim's Families File $2 Million Settlement with the City

In a declaration, the families also revealed a $2 million compensation with the city, which includes assurances from city leaders to enforce higher standards and better training for local police.

The declaration anticipates the second anniversary of one of the bloody school firings in U.S. history. On May 24, 2022, a teen assassin slain 19 fourth-graders and two teachers at Robb Elementary School.

This lawsuit is the recent in a series linking for accountability for the law enforcement's actions. Over 370 federal, state, and local officers were present at the location but waited more than 70 minutes before facing the gunner.

This is the first lawsuit after a 600-page Justice Department report issued in January, which detailed comprehensive failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology on that day.

The lawsuit asserts that state troopers did not adhere to their active shooter training and responsibility to confront the shooter, while the students and teachers were following lockdown protocols. "These protocols trap teachers and students inside, leaving them fully reliant on law enforcement to respond quickly and effectively," stated the families and their attorneys.

Inside the classroom, terrified students called 911 as desperate parents begged officers to intervene, some hearing gunshots from the hallway. Eventually, a tactical team entered the classroom and neutralized the shooter.

Families Sue Texas Police for Mishandled Law Enforcement Response

Erin Rogiers, an attorney representing the families, stated, "Law enforcement's inaction that day was a total and utter betrayal of these families and their lost loved ones.

The Texas Department of Public Safety had the resources, training, and firepower to respond appropriately but ignored all of it and failed at every level. These families not only have the right but also the duty to seek justice."

An ongoing criminal investigation into the police response is being conducted by Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell's office. A grand jury was convened this year, with some law enforcement officials already called to testify.

The lawsuit names 92 officials and troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Uvalde School District, former Robb Elementary Principal Mandy Gutierrez, and former Uvalde schools police Chief Peter Arredondo as defendants.

A previous lawsuit filed in December 2022 against local and state police, the city, and other school and law enforcement entities seeks at least $27 billion and class-action status for survivors.

Furthermore, at least two other lawsuits have been documented against Daniel Defense, the Georgia-based manufacturer of the AR-style rifle used by the assassin.

The $2 million compensation with the city is capped to hinder bankrupting the city, permitting the community to continue healing. The payment will come from the city's insurance coverage.

The settlement includes a new "fitness for duty" standard and enhanced training for Uvalde police officers. It also designates May 24 as an annual day of remembrance, establishes a permanent memorial in the city plaza, and supports mental health services for families and the broader Uvalde community.

The police response to the mass shooting has faced criticism and scrutiny from state and federal authorities. A 600-page Justice Department report in January highlighted extensive failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology.

Another city-commissioned report also pointed out numerous law enforcement missteps but defended the actions of local police, which angered victims' families.

Veronica Luevano, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said, "For two long years, we've endured pain and a lack of accountability from the law enforcement agencies and officers who let our families be destroyed that day. This settlement represents a first good faith effort, particularly by the City of Uvalde, to start rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect us."