Source: Brandon Bell / Getty
The Uvalde tragedy is still one of the most shocking school shooting events in recent history, and new details are coming forth from that horrible day. Footage shows local police officers toiling about on their phones instead of doing their jobs and protecting the innocent lives inside.
As we understand the sensitive nature of the Uvalde shooting, we won’t show the footage of the police officers casually checking their phones as children were screaming in horror, according to reports saying that the audio of the footage was scrubbed. But what is especially angering is that several accounts from the ground stated that parents practically begged the officers to move into action, with some parents taking on the role of protectors themselves.
The 77-minute surveillance video of the May 24 shooting was released exclusively by the Austin American-Statesman, and the outlet is currently enduring criticism from Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin for releasing the footage. McLaughlin also went after local ABC affiliate KVUE as well during a city council meeting on Tuesday (July 12).
For those who want to read the Austin American-Statesman’s account of the video, the footage and their breakdown can be found here. We didn’t view the footage because, quite honestly, reading the details was upsetting enough. On social media, images of the police officers sauntering about are truly angry. In the end, the 21 victims which included 19 fourth graders and two teachers perished as the police took their sweet time in fatally taking down the gunman.
On Twitter, commentary over the inaction of Uvalde police has garnered the requisite reactions that mirror and eclipse the tone of our post. You can find those comments below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
The Uvalde police ran away when they heard the shots.
They. Ran. Away.
— KerrBear (@MPLSKerrBear) July 13, 2022
2.
the new surveillance footage of the Uvalde shooting breaks my fcking heart. i couldn’t watch it all the way. COPS STOOD THERE and did NOTHING. my aunt and uncle didn’t deserve this. the family’s affected deserve this. we NEED justice
— john martinez
(@fuhknjo) July 12, 2022
3.
That cop in Uvalde having his lock screen be the punisher logo and him being scared to take on an active shooter is truly the perfect encapsulation of how cops see themselves vs who they really are.
— Albert Jaragua Corado (@digitalurn) July 12, 2022
4.
That audio of the children screaming should be put on a loop and played outside the Uvalde police station 24/7. pic.twitter.com/v0h7FGnKfh
— QuarantinedCoof (@QuarantinedCoof) July 13, 2022
5.
This Uvalde footage should run anytime journalists treat police reports as fact.
— Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis (@RevJacquiLewis) July 13, 2022
6.
The Uvalde video puts to bed, forever, the question of whether the way to deal with bad guys with guns is to make sure there are more good guys with guns.
We've always known it was a gun industry created lie, designed to sell more guns. Now we just have the gut wrenching proof.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 13, 2022
7.
The gun-industry propaganda that “the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun” is completely destroyed by the shocking #Uvalde school videos — and by the testimony of these brave kids who watched the police do nothing for 77 minutes. https://t.co/vafrLofzHZ
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) July 13, 2022
8.
I can't understand how anyone of Latino descent can watch the Uvalde video of multiple cops standing in that hallway listening to gun shots and kids screaming and begging for help, can vote for a republikkkan. Help me to understand. The mayor is a lying, evil republikkkan!
— dorothy ratowski (@DorothyRatowski) July 13, 2022
9.
The Uvalde mayor calling journalists "chickenshit" for releasing the footage instead of criticizing all the outrageous stuff cops are doing in that footage is a masterclass in how politicians enable the police.
— Read Wobblies and Zapatistas (@JoshuaPotash) July 13, 2022
10.
Uvalde police listened to nineteen children screaming for their lives, while they goofed off on their phones and republicans are talking about fucking breakfast tacos.
THIS IS WHO THEY ARE.
— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) July 13, 2022
11.
After Uvalde no journalist or news source or anyone has any excuse to print what police say without confirmation. No one has any excuse not to know that cops lie, lie, and lie again.
— Read Wobblies and Zapatistas (@JoshuaPotash) July 13, 2022
12.
What was video witnessed in Uvalde dispels the MYTH of good guys with guns will stop bad guys with guns. Seasoned cops did not have the courage of one mother who rescued her 2 kids..no weapon. #PrayingForBuffaloAndUvalde. #CancelAssaultWeapons#TheView pic.twitter.com/JKOlXKe3vC
— LeedsThe Nation (@BlackWomenMagic) July 13, 2022
13.
21 families in Uvalde Texas wake up every morning to a life they don't recognize and forever charged. Has the seditionist senator from Texas, Ted Cruz visited Uvalde? No. Comforted a family? No. Called for an investigation? No. Ted Cruz is a podcaster. Texas deserves better! pic.twitter.com/c1saF1f4GR
— Danielle Candela (@DanielleCandela) July 13, 2022
14.
Let Uvalde be your reminder that the Supreme Court ruled that police have no legal obligation to protect your or your children.
— ashley fairbanks (@ziibiing) July 13, 2022
15.
Never forget that Greg Abbott fought to keep the Uvalde video from being released.
— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) July 13, 2022