AUSTIN, Texas — A stunning new revelation came to light Tuesday about the school shooting in Uvalde. The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety testified the classroom door was not locked, and could not be locked from the inside. This is one of many additional facts revealed as the Texas Senate held a public meeting to investigate the mass shooting.
“There’s compelling evidence that the law enforcement response to the attack at Robb Elementary was an abject failure and antithetical to everything we’ve learned over the last two decades since the Columbine massacre,” said Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw.
In his hours-long testimony before a special Senate committee, McCraw said now officer tried to open the unlocked doors.
“Three minutes after the subject entered the west building, there was a sufficient number of armed officers wearing body armor to isolate, distract and neutralize the subject,” he said.
Instead, he said officers did nothing as students and teachers waited inside for more than 75 minutes.
“The point is, you don’t have to wait for a key, and shouldn’t have to forever wait for a key, to breach. Windows are great access points,” McCraw said.
When asked about active shooter drills and their value, McCraw testified they were essentially worthless at Robb Elementary. He also said there was “not an effective lockdown” because of the unlocked doors.
McCraw also said there was “obviously” not enough training done because “terrible decisions were made by the on-scene commander.” He said the incident has set law enforcement back 10 years.
“When one fails, we all fail, plain and simple,” he said.
The Senate hearing will continue Wednesday.