The Uvalde City Council, battered by criticism from its constituents, said it knows nothing about the investigation into the massacre of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on May 24.
But they placed the blame on the Department of Public Safety and Col. Steve McCraw, the agency's director. During a contentious meeting, which included several parents of children killed in the shootings, the City Council tried its best to explain that state investigators have not included the city.
"I'm as frustrated as you are," Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said.
The Council, however, could claim one small victory for the furious residents — Councilman Pete Arredondo has apparently vacated his seat. Of course, Arredondo is facing the ire of the community for the botched law enforcement response to the shooting.
As Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police chief, Arredondo commanded the effort to rescue the children and teachers shot inside two classrooms at the Uvalde elementary school.
Arredondo, on leave from the school district, was elected to the City Council on May 7. He was sworn in but has not attended a City Council meeting since the May 24 shooting rampage at Robb Elementary School that left 19 children and two teachers dead, along with 17 others seriously wounded.
McLaughlin said the U.S. Justice Department told him they were surprised state investigators did not include city officials.
"I have not received one briefing on day one from this," McLaughlin said during a special meeting. "(Justice Department) reaction to this is they couldn't believe we hadn't gotten any information."
The criticism of McCraw came from those in the audience and from the Council. McCraw, however, has spoken repeatedly about the incident, including in testimony by a committee of the Texas Legislature.
"We don't believe him either," said Councilmember Ernest "Chip" King III.
McLaughlin said 38th District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee restricted the release of information — another point of contention for city officials. McLaughlin said he's frustrated with the process.
Watch the meeting via KENS5
