The area around the Robb Elementary School signs has become a memorial dedicated to the victims of the May 24 mass shooting.

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The area around the Robb Elementary School signs has become a memorial dedicated to the victims of the May 24 mass shooting.

Celia Correa Sauceda, right, hugs her friend Stacey Mazuca after they and other mariachi musicians from San Antonio performed during a memorial in Uvalde on Wednesday, June 1. Sauceda, who plays violin, is an elementary teacher in San Antonio. She said she was in Uvalde to be a voice.

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Celia Correa Sauceda, right, hugs her friend Stacey Mazuca after they and other mariachi musicians from San Antonio performed during a memorial in Uvalde on Wednesday, June 1. Sauceda, who plays violin, is an elementary teacher in San Antonio. She said she was in Uvalde to be a voice. “We cannot forget what happened, and it needs to stop,” Sauceda said.

Mateo López sings during a mariachi performance at a Uvalde memorial on June 1.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Mateo López sings during a mariachi performance at a Uvalde memorial on June 1.

Pallbearers carry Amerie Jo Garza's casket into the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde on Tuesday, May 31.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Pallbearers carry Amerie Jo Garza’s casket into the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde on Tuesday, May 31.

Jose Mata, brother of shooting victim Xavier Lopez, carries a wooden cross decorated with a baseball bat to place it at Xavier's memorial outside his home in Uvalde on May 31.

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Jae C. Hong/AP

Jose Mata, brother of shooting victim Xavier Lopez, carries a wooden cross decorated with a baseball bat to place it at Xavier’s memorial outside his home in Uvalde on May 31.

President Joe Biden looks back at the crowd gathered outside of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church after attending Mass in Uvalde on Sunday, May 29. People in the crowd shouted,

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President Joe Biden looks back at the crowd gathered outside of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church after attending Mass in Uvalde on Sunday, May 29. People in the crowd shouted, “Do something!” And as Biden looked back at them he said, “We will.”

A cutout photograph of one of the victims is taken onto school grounds Saturday, May 28, in preparation for <a href=Biden’s visit the next day.” data-src=”https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/220529162326-09-uvalde-school-shooting-052822.jpg?c=original&q=w_480,c_fill”>

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A cutout photograph of one of the victims is taken onto school grounds Saturday, May 28, in preparation for Biden’s visit the next day.

Mourners gather in the main plaza in Uvalde on May 28.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Mourners gather in the main plaza in Uvalde on May 28.

A choir from The Light of the World Church sings songs in Uvalde on Friday, May 27, to support families who lost loved ones in the shooting.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

A choir from The Light of the World Church sings songs in Uvalde on Friday, May 27, to support families who lost loved ones in the shooting.

The Light of the World Church offers prayers for the families impacted by the shooting.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

The Light of the World Church offers prayers for the families impacted by the shooting.

Vanessa Palacios, left, and Melissa García write the victims' names on their storefront, Cut Loose Hair Emporium, on May 27.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Vanessa Palacios, left, and Melissa García write the victims’ names on their storefront, Cut Loose Hair Emporium, on May 27.

Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, points to a map of <a href=the shooter’s movements during a news conference on May 27. In all, 80 minutes passed between when officers were first called to the school at 11:30 a.m. to when a tactical team entered locked classrooms and killed the gunman at 12:50 p.m., McCraw said.” data-src=”https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/220527112215-06-uvalde-dps-presser-0527.jpg?c=original&q=w_480,c_fill”>

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, points to a map of the shooter’s movements during a news conference on May 27. In all, 80 minutes passed between when officers were first called to the school at 11:30 a.m. to when a tactical team entered locked classrooms and killed the gunman at 12:50 p.m., McCraw said.

The friends and family of Maranda Mathis, one of <a href=the young victims of the school shooting, grieve her loss in front of a cross bearing her name on May 26. “These children should be remembered for all the right reasons,” a family member said.” data-src=”https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/220526224515-04-uvalde-shooting-memorial-0526.jpg?c=original&q=w_480,c_fill”>

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Matthew Busch for CNN

The friends and family of Maranda Mathis, one of the young victims of the school shooting, grieve her loss in front of a cross bearing her name on May 26. “These children should be remembered for all the right reasons,” a family member said.

Tyler Garcia raises up a sign that says

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Tyler Garcia raises up a sign that says “#UvaldeStrong” during a car wash and food sale that was raising money for the families of those who lost loved ones in the shooting.

Congregants at St. Philip's Episcopal Church light candles in Uvalde to remember the shooting victims on May 26.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Congregants at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church light candles in Uvalde to remember the shooting victims on May 26.

Copies of the Uvalde Leader-News sit on stands at a market on May 26.

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Jae C. Hong/AP

Copies of the Uvalde Leader-News sit on stands at a market on May 26.

Crosses bear the names of shooting victims on May 26.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Crosses bear the names of shooting victims on May 26.

People in Uvalde light candles during a memorial for the shooting victims on May 25.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

People in Uvalde light candles during a memorial for the shooting victims on May 25.

A prayer vigil is held in Uvalde on May 25.

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Jae C. Hong/AP

A prayer vigil is held in Uvalde on May 25.

An officer with the Texas Highway Patrol prays with a community member before taking his flowers to the growing memorial in front of Robb Elementary School.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

An officer with the Texas Highway Patrol prays with a community member before taking his flowers to the growing memorial in front of Robb Elementary School.

From left, Michael Cavasos, Brenda Perez and Eduardo Galindo are seen in the foreground as they wait in line to donate blood in Uvalde on May 25. Galindo, who lives in Uvalde, said:

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Matthew Busch for CNN

From left, Michael Cavasos, Brenda Perez and Eduardo Galindo are seen in the foreground as they wait in line to donate blood in Uvalde on May 25. Galindo, who lives in Uvalde, said: “When it hits you in your hometown, you wake up and say, ‘Wow.’ … We have to be here and show support for these families right now.” Approximately 200 people donated blood to South Texas Blood and Tissue, who would be delivering the units to surrounding area hospitals.

People attend Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde on May 25.

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Allison Dinner/AFP/Getty Images

People attend Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde on May 25.

Flowers are seen at the memorial in front of the school.

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Matthew Busch for CNN

Flowers are seen at the memorial in front of the school.

Texas gubernatorial nominee Beto O'Rourke, bottom right, <a href=confronted Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials during a news conference about the shooting on May 25. “The time to stop the next shooting is right now and you are doing nothing,” O’Rourke told Abbott. The two will face off in November’s election.” data-src=”https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/220525160659-03-orourke-abbott-presser-0525.jpg?c=original&q=w_480,c_fill”>

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Veronica G. Cardenas/Reuters

Texas gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke, bottom right, confronted Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials during a news conference about the shooting on May 25. “The time to stop the next shooting is right now and you are doing nothing,” O’Rourke told Abbott. The two will face off in November’s election.

Law enforcement vehicles are lined up outside the school on May 25.

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Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images

Law enforcement vehicles are lined up outside the school on May 25.

People pray outside the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde on May 24. The civic center is where students were transported after the shooting.

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Nuri Vallbona/Reuters

People pray outside the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center in Uvalde on May 24. The civic center is where students were transported after the shooting.

Kladys Castellón prays during a vigil that was held in Uvalde on May 24.

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Billy Calzada/AP

Kladys Castellón prays during a vigil that was held in Uvalde on May 24.

Law enforcement officials work the scene after the shooting on May 24.

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Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images

Law enforcement officials work the scene after the shooting on May 24.

People comfort each other outside the civic center in Uvalde.

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Dario Lopez-Mills/AP

People comfort each other outside the civic center in Uvalde.

Students run to safety after law enforcement officers helped them escape from a window at the school.

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Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News

Students run to safety after law enforcement officers helped them escape from a window at the school.

Law enforcement personnel run near the scene of the shooting on May 24. US Customs and Border Protection, which is the largest law enforcement agency in the area, assisted with the response.

Photos: Mass shooting at Texas elementary school

Marco Bello/Reuters

Law enforcement personnel run near the scene of the shooting on May 24. US Customs and Border Protection, which is the largest law enforcement agency in the area, assisted with the response.

People react outside the Uvalde civic center on May 24.

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Marco Bello/Reuters

People react outside the Uvalde civic center on May 24.

A Texas state trooper walks outside the school on May 24.

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A Texas state trooper walks outside the school on May 24.

A woman reacts outside of the civic center in Uvalde.

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Marco Bello/Reuters

A woman reacts outside of the civic center in Uvalde.

A child gets on a school bus under the watch of law enforcement on May 24. Robb Elementary teaches second through fourth grades and had 535 students in the 2020-21 school year, according to state data. About 90% of students are Hispanic and about 81% are economically disadvantaged, the data shows.

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Marco Bello/Reuters

A child gets on a school bus under the watch of law enforcement on May 24. Robb Elementary teaches second through fourth grades and had 535 students in the 2020-21 school year, according to state data. About 90% of students are Hispanic and about 81% are economically disadvantaged, the data shows.

People react outside the civic center in Uvalde. This marks at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022.

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Marco Bello/Reuters

People react outside the civic center in Uvalde. This marks at least the 30th shooting at a K-12 school in 2022.

Law enforcement officials and other first responders gather outside the school following the shooting.

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Dario Lopez-Mills/AP

Law enforcement officials and other first responders gather outside the school following the shooting.

A woman cries and hugs a young girl while on the phone outside the civic center in Uvalde.

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Allison Dinner/AFP/Getty Images

A woman cries and hugs a young girl while on the phone outside the civic center in Uvalde.

Another child gets on a bus to leave the school.

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Marco Bello/Reuters

Another child gets on a bus to leave the school.

A woman cries as she leaves the civic center.

Photos: Mass shooting at Texas elementary school

William Luther/San Antonio Express-News/Zuma

A woman cries as she leaves the civic center.

Law enforcement officials stand outside the school following the shooting. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been assisting local police with the investigation.

Photos: Mass shooting at Texas elementary school

Dario Lopez-Mills/AP

Law enforcement officials stand outside the school following the shooting. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been assisting local police with the investigation.

People sit on the curb outside of the school as state troopers guard the area on May 24.

Photos: Mass shooting at Texas elementary school

Allison Dinner/AFP/Getty Images

People sit on the curb outside of the school as state troopers guard the area on May 24.

Police walk near the school following the shooting.

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Dario Lopez-Mills/AP

Police walk near the school following the shooting.

A woman and a child leave the Uvalde civic center on May 24.

Photos: Mass shooting at Texas elementary school

William Luther/San Antonio Express-News/Zuma

A woman and a child leave the Uvalde civic center on May 24.


In his lawsuit filed Wednesday, Gutierrez challenged the DPS’s decisions to withhold information from the public, including police bodycam footage, 911 audio and ballistics reports.

“DPS has violated Chapter 552 of the Texas Government by failing to provide public documents that are presumed to be public within a reasonable time,” the lawsuit states.

In a section titled “The Cover-Up,” the lawsuit notes that DPS has used an exception to the law to keep records private.

“These government agencies have used the ‘on going law enforcement exception’ to the Texas open records law to disallow access to information that might shed light on the response to the school shooting,” the lawsuit states.

Gutierrez is asking the Travis County District Court to rule that DPS immediately provide the documents in his records request.

District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee issued a statement two weeks ago stating the shooting was being investigated by the FBI and Texas Rangers and that “any release of records to that incident at this time would interfere with said ongoing investigation and would impede a thorough and complete investigation.”

Still, Kelley Shannon, the executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, urged transparency in a statement Wednesday.

“It is important to note that the Texas Public Information Act does not require law enforcement investigators to withhold information from the public about a crime,” Shannon said. “The law enforcement exception to release is discretionary. In fact, many police and prosecutors across Texas routinely release investigative information to the public when they feel the need to – whether to help catch a wanted suspect, to seek more tips about a crime or to showcase the positive performance of police.”

02:38
– Source:
CNN

10-year-old victim’s dad says he feels anger over new images

At the city council meeting, McLaughlin noted that officers from at least eight law enforcement agencies were in the hallway outside the classrooms on the day of the shooting. McLaughlin said he has no desire to pursue elected office again and is “not covering up for anybody,” saying all responding agencies should be held accountable.

He said the leaking of certain bits of information over the past few weeks “continues to create chaos in our community and keeps the whole truth from coming out.”

He particularly took aim at what he said was a false report that local police weren’t cooperating with investigators, and he expressed his frustration with being left in the dark.

“I’m just as frustrated – maybe not as frustrated as the families that have lost their loved ones – but it pisses me off that I can’t give you answers or can’t get you answers,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said he was meant to receive a daily briefing from authorities since its onset but none has been provided.

“The gloves are off. As we know it, we will share it. We are not going to hold back anymore,” he said.

McLaughlin has criticized the lack of transparency from investigators before, saying at a city council meeting on June 7, “We had some missteps with the DPS releasing some facts or different things, but that wasn’t the Rangers who were leading the investigation. I’m not blaming anybody,” he said.

“We were told one thing one day, and the next day the narrative changed. You were told for a week that a teacher propped the door open with a rock, and at the end of the week that story was gone too. That’s the missteps I’m talking about,” he added.

The city council meeting also took issue with Arredondo’s absence from the public eye.