Judge Rules Uvalde Officials Must Disclose Documents From 2022 School Shooting

A Texas state appeals court has taken a significant step by mandating that Uvalde County and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District disclose records about the tragic 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the loss of 19 children and two teachers.

A recent ruling by Judge Velia Meza of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals upholds an earlier trial court decision. This ruling is the result of a lawsuit initiated by a coalition of 18 media outlets, including Gannett and The Texas Tribune, which are pursuing access to vital records, including 911 calls, body camera footage, and communications from the day of the incident.

The response from law enforcement has faced significant scrutiny, especially regarding the delays in addressing the shooter while he was inside two classrooms with students. This situation has led to ongoing investigations and a considerable public outcry. The anticipated release of the requested documents is likely to shed more light on the events that unfolded during those distressing hours.

Concerns regarding the release were mainly voiced by Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell, who contended that the documents might disrupt forthcoming criminal cases involving former Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo. Arredondo, facing serious charges related to child endangerment, is set to appear in court for trial in October.

Judge Meza stated that unclear references to legal actions were not sufficient to warrant keeping the records from public view. “These entities provided scant justification—referencing a grand jury investigation and a civil lawsuit—yet failed to present any legal or evidentiary backing,” Meza remarked in the court’s opinion.

Media attorney Laura Prather, representing the coalition of organizations, commended the ruling. “The community has been seeking clarity for over three years regarding the events of that day,” she stated. “This decision moves us forward in our quest for answers and in our efforts to avert future tragedies.”

The Uvalde school district has announced a board meeting set for July 21 to address the recent ruling and the request for records. The Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office has yet to respond to inquiries for comment. Judge Meza’s ruling did not set a clear timeline for the release of the documents.