In Uvalde, Texas, a tragedy unfolded when a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers last May. Following the attack, all security personnel in the area faced suspension as investigations and reviews began in the days that followed.
The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School sparked widespread criticism over the speed of response and the coordination among school police, state police, and other officers who responded to the scene.
A statement from the Uvalde Independent School District noted that lieutenants Miguel Hernandez and Ken Mueller were placed on administrative leave. Other personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety were reassigned to different duties within the county as part of the ongoing evaluation of the case.
The same update indicated that Mueller, who served as the manager of student services, decided to retire amid the reviewing process.
The suspension actions were described as a response to the recent events, while the Texas Police Chiefs Association and private detectives continued to monitor police actions during the incident.
The district emphasized in its notice that the region remains committed to solving extraordinary problems with verifiable evidence.
Earlier, reports indicated that Crimson Elizondo, a school bodyguard, had been dismissed after CNN reported that he was among the first officers to arrive at the scene but spent much of the time outside the building. He later disclosed a personal perspective on the matter, stating he would have acted differently if a family member had been involved.
News coverage highlighted the body camera worn by Elizondo on that day and the tension surrounding the first responders’ decisions. The Uvalde School Police Chief, Pete Arredondo, was removed from his post in the previous year as investigations progressed.
An inquiry conducted by the Texas House of Representatives found that 376 officers from multiple law enforcement agencies intervened at the scene before the shooter was killed. The report noted that officers arrived armed with pistols, rifles, and protective gear, yet they waited more than an hour to confront the attacker who had claimed the life of Salvador Ramos, who was 18 years old.