UVALDE, Texas (AP) – Legislative committee investigating Texas elementary school shooting Ready to hear more evidence from law enforcement officials on Monday last month.
Dustin Burrows, the state spokesman who chairs the committee investigating the shooting at Rob Elementary School in Wowalde, spoke with another officer and member from the school district police, who said they would hear more witness statements from the Wowalde Police Department. Department of Public Safety.
“We would like to thank at least all law enforcement agencies for their cooperation and for providing the witnesses we have requested,” said Republican Burrows from Lubbock.
Following Burroughs’ initial statements during the committee’s hearing in Wolverhampton, the committee moved into an executive session, preventing the public from hearing the testimony of witnesses.
Last Thursday, Burrows indicated impatience Uvalde told the police department it was unclear whether they would testify voluntarily before the panel. However, he said on Friday that Uvalde police officers had agreed to speak With the committee.
Burrows said testimony would continue Tuesday in Austin. He said he hopes to provide information on when at least a preliminary report will be released to the public.
Wawalde School Shooting
Uvalde is an 11-year-old avid runner, remembered for his energy
Texas shooting records may be blocked by legal loopholes
The Wowalde girl loved to dance, hoping to have a viral tickout video
The murdered Uvalde girl was attentive and opinionated
An 18-year-old man killed 19 students and two teachers At school on May 24th. Questions as to why police did not confront and kill the man who opened fire for more than an hour, even though distressed parents outside the school asked authorities to go inside And panicked children called 911 from inside.
Law enforcement officials have provided very little or no controversial information since the shooting, sometimes withdrawing it hours after the announcements were made. Authorities declined to provide details, saying the investigation was ongoing.
Some are concerned that Texas officials are using a legal loophole To prevent the release of records – even to the families of the victims – after the case is over. Exemption from the law protects against the release of information on crimes for which no one has been convicted. The Texas Attorney General’s Office ruled that this applies when a suspect dies.
Authorities did not release the records requested under the Public Information Act to media outlets, including the Associated Press, citing widespread exceptions and ongoing investigations. It also raised concerns about whether such records would be released to the families of the victims.
School staff were among others interviewed behind closed doors by the committee.
Burrows defended the committee for interviewing witnesses privately and for not disclosing their findings so far, saying its members wanted an accurate account before issuing the report.
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Find more AP coverage of the Uvalde School shooting: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting