“Cascading Failures”: GIFFORDS Calls for Accountability, Justice for Uvalde Community after Department of Justice Releases Its Report
The Report Underscored Failures by Police Responding to Robb Elementary School Shooting
Washington DC —GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement in response to the Department of Justice’s latest report on what it called the “cascading failures” of the police officials who responded to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government and Political Affairs at GIFFORDS
“The report by the Department of Justice once again found that the police responding to the school shooting in Uvalde failed to act with urgency to save lives. We know these findings won’t bring back the 21 lives taken, and it’s heart wrenching for survivors to relive the details. However, we’re thankful the DOJ released its report and hope the community can seek some measure of justice and hold those accountable who failed to act. The 19 children, two teachers, countless survivors, and all their families deserved so much better. We’ll always work hand-in-hand with them as we advocate for a safer future.”
After working in Uvalde, the GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention released The Uvalde Report: A Path Forward for a Community—and Nation—Struggling to Heal last May with recommendations for resources, services, and support for the community. In the report, Uvalde community members spoke to a history of mistrust with law enforcement, which only deepened after the shooting. In addition to implementing gun safety laws, the report recommends how to address structural racism and implement long-term mental health resources and community-based programs to help build trust.
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