Uvalde Police Chief Resignation Announcement
Chief Daniel Rodriguez of the Uvalde Police Department made a public statement on Tuesday, just before the Uvalde City Council was set to review a report clearing local officers involved in the Robb Elementary School shooting.
During the tragic incident at the school, Chief Rodriguez was away on vacation. In his absence, Lieutenant Mariano Pargas assumed his duties, although the Department of Justice review highlighted Pargas’s lack of incident command training.
Following an investigation commissioned by the City of Uvalde, it was determined that the police officers acted in good faith and adhered to protocol during the shooting. Despite the prolonged response time and deviation from active shooter protocol by the 376 officers from various agencies, no violations were found. The shooting, which occurred on May 24, 2022, resulted in the loss of nineteen children and two teachers.
Concerns Raised Regarding Acting Police Chief
Don McLaughlin, a vocal advocate for the investigation, criticized acting police chief Mariano Pargas for his leadership during the mass shooting.
Chief Rodriguez, in his resignation letter, did not provide specific reasons for stepping down but mentioned that he is ready to embark on a new journey.
Brett Cross, a grieving parent who lost his son Uziyah in the shooting, expressed disappointment, referring to Rodriguez’s resignation as “the coward’s way out.” Cross and other affected families have been advocating for accountability since the tragic event.
During the council meeting, Cross and other family members sought answers regarding the investigative report, but Mayor Cody Smith deferred responses, indicating that more time was needed to evaluate the situation post-Rodriguez’s resignation.
Mayor Smith expressed gratitude for Rodriguez’s service and announced that Assistant Chief of Police Homer Delgado would serve as the Interim Chief of Police while the city searches for a permanent replacement.
Uvalde Police Chief Resignation: A Community’s Safety Concern
Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez emphasized the paramount importance of our community’s safety. The search for the most suitable candidate to uphold the well-being of Uvalde’s residents is eagerly anticipated. Rodriguez’s resignation is scheduled to become effective on April 6th.
Jesse Rizo, the uncle of Jackie Cazares, a 9-year-old victim of the tragic incident, expressed frustration, stating, “It’s been almost two years, and we’re right back to where we started. Same old place, same old thing, same old response. Do not prolong this any further. Closure will not be achieved by delaying. By accepting Daniel’s long-overdue resignation, what did Daniel do today? He failed to show up, reminiscent of those officers on that fateful day.”
Editor’s Note: This story is continuously evolving and will be kept updated.
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