Austin, TX

Charges against 2 Uvalde school officers are still leaving families frustrated

Published

5 months ago

June 29, 2024

Charges against 2 Uvalde school officers are still leaving families frustrated

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Two indictments against former Uvalde, Texas, schools police officers are the first charges brought against law enforcement for the botched response that saw hundreds of officers wait more than an hour to confront an 18-year-old gunman who killed 19 fourth-grade students and two teachers at Robb Elementary.

What You Need To Know

Former Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo and former Officer Adrian Gonzales were indicted on June 26 by a Uvalde County grand jury on multiple counts of child endangerment and abandonment over their actions and failure to immediately confront the shooter

Several families wonder why more officers have not been charged for waiting to go into the classroom, where some victims lay dying or begging for assistance, to help bring a quicker end to one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history

Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell has not said if any other officers will be charged or if the grand jury’s work is done

For some Uvalde families, who have spent the last two years demanding police accountability, the indictments brought a mix of relief and frustration. Several wonder why more officers have not been charged for waiting to go into the classroom, where some victims lay dying or begging for assistance, to help bring a quicker end to one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.

Former Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo and former Officer Adrian Gonzales were indicted on June 26 by a Uvalde County grand jury on multiple counts of child endangerment and abandonment over their actions and failure to immediately confront the shooter. They were among the first of nearly 400 federal, state and local officers who converged on the school that day.

“I want every single person who was in the hallway charged for failure to protect the most innocent,” said Velma Duran, whose sister Irma Garcia was one of the teachers killed. “My sister put her body in front of those children to protect them, something they could have done. They had the means and the tools to do it. My sister had her body.”

Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell has not said if any other officers will be charged or if the grand jury’s work is done.

Here are some things to know about the criminal investigation into the police response:

The shooting

The gunman stormed into the school on May 24, 2022, and killed his victims in two classrooms.

More than 370 officers responded but waited more than 70 minutes to confront the shooter, even as he could be heard firing an AR-15-style rifle.

Terrified students inside the classrooms called 911 as agonized parents begged for intervention by officers, some of whom could hear shots being fired while they stood in a hallway. A tactical team of officers eventually went into the classroom and killed the shooter.

Scathing state and federal investigative reports on the police response have catalogued “cascading failures” in training, communication, leadership and technology problems.

The charges

The indictment against Arredondo, who was the on-site commander at the shooting, accused the chief of delaying the police response despite hearing shots fired and being notified that injured children were in the classrooms and a teacher had been shot.

Arredondo called for a SWAT team, ordered the initial responding officers to leave the building and attempted to negotiate with the 18-year-old gunman, the indictment said. The grand jury said it considered his actions criminal negligence.

Gonzales was accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the shooter, even after hearing gunshots as he stood in a hallway.

All the charges are state jail felonies that carry up to two years in jail if convicted.

Arredondo said in a 2022 interview with the Texas Tribune that he tried to “eliminate any threats, and protect the students and staff.” Gonzalez’s lawyer on Friday called the charges “unprecedented in the state of Texas” and said the officer believes he did not break any laws or school district policy.

The first U.S. law enforcement officer ever tried for allegedly failing to act during an on-campus shooting was a campus sheriff’s deputy in Florida who didn’t go into the classroom building and confront the perpetrator of the 2018 Parkland massacre. The deputy, who was fired, was acquitted of felony neglect last year. A lawsuit by the victims’ families and survivors is pending.

The lawsuits

The families are pursing accountability from authorities in other state and federal courts. Several have filed multiple civil lawsuits.

Two days before the two-year anniversary of the shooting, the families of 19 victims filed a $500 million lawsuit against nearly 100 state police officers who were part of the botched response. The lawsuit accuses the troopers of not following their active shooter training and not confronting the shooter. The highest ranking Department of Public Safety official named as a defendant is South Texas Regional Director Victor Escalon.

The same families also reached a $2 million settlement with the city under which city leaders promised higher standards for hiring and training local police.

On May 24, a group of families sued Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram, and the maker of the video game Call of Duty over claims the companies bear responsibility for the weapons used by the teenage gunman.

They also filed another lawsuit against gun maker Daniel Defense, which made the AR-style rifle used by the gunman.

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Austin, TX

How to Watch Texas at Arkansas, Live Stream NCAA Football, TV Channel

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

How to Watch Texas at Arkansas, Live Stream NCAA Football, TV Channel

No. 3 Texas aims to bolster its College Football Playoff resume, while Arkansas looks to defend its home turf and secure a statement win. The Longhorns’ impressive 8-1 record has them in the national title conversation, though the 5-4 Razorbacks will be eager to play spoiler in this clash of former conference foes.

Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the first half against the Florida Gators at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

How to Watch No. 3 Texas at Arkansas:

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Channel: ABC
Stream: Fubo (Try for free)

The 2024 NCAA Football season is reaching its crescendo, with late-season non-conference matchups carrying significant weight for teams eyeing prestigious bowl games and playoff berths. This renewal of the Texas-Arkansas rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement, as both programs look to claim bragging rights in a contest steeped in history.

Texas, under the guidance of head coach Steve Sarkisian, has lived up to lofty preseason expectations. The Longhorns’ balanced attack, featuring a potent passing game and a bruising ground attack, has overwhelmed most opponents. Their defense, anchored by a stout front seven, has been equally impressive, ranked No. 4 nationally in points allowed (12.1 per game). With their sights set on both a Big 12 title and a top spot in the College Football Playoff, Texas knows the importance of a strong showing in hostile territory.

Arkansas, led by head coach Sam Pittman, has had an up-and-down season but remains a dangerous opponent, having beaten then-No. 4 Tennessee in early October. The Razorbacks have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on offense, where their dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green has kept defenses on their heels. The atmosphere at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium promises to be electric as Arkansas seeks to recapture some of the magic from this historic rivalry.

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Austin, TX

The Best Mezcal Bars in Austin

Published

9 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

The mezcal-based Amargot sour at Kramer’s.

Raeann Alcorta

Mezcal is a category of agave spirit that includes, but is still different, from tequila. While tequila can only be made from the blue agave plant and is created through a steaming process, mezcal can be distilled from over 400 varieties of agave plants and is traditionally roasted underground to produce a rich bouquet of flavors. Mezcal has been growing in popularity over the last few years, especially in Austin, with more restaurants and bars expanding their menus to include it. Whether you’re looking for exciting mezcal cocktails, or just to sip on a copita in peace, here’s where you can enjoy some of the best mezcal in Austin.

For more drinks in Austin, find the best cocktail bars, the best new cocktail bars, and the best margaritas.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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Austin, TX

Texas high school football: Austin-area UIL scores, highlights from Week 12 playoffs

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Press Room

Texas high school football: Austin-area UIL scores, highlights from Week 12 playoffs

Mark Champ
| Special to Austin American-Statesman

The playoffs are here for Texas high school football. Pflugerville kicked things off on Thursday night for Central Texas with a 63-13 win over San Antonio Burbank, the Panthers’ first playoff win since 2012.

All of the top Austin-area schools are in action Friday night, including heavyweight programs Westlake, Lake Travis, Vandegrift, Cedar Park, LBJ, Liberty Hill and Bastrop.

9 UIL PLAYOFF TEAMS TO WATCH INCLUDE STATE TITLE DEFENDERS, HOPEFULS

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

CLASS 6A | CLASS 5A

Follow this thread throughout Friday night for live updates and scores from playoff games throughout Central Texas:

On Georgetown’s first possession of overtime, Georgetown’s 2000+ yard ball carrier Jett Walker scored from 17 yards out as the Eagles regained the lead 42-35 lead over Burleson Centennial.

Angleton has ended Weiss’ season with a 35-28 win in the 5A-Division I bi-district win.

The Cavaliers have advanced to the Area Round with a 41-14 win over Round Rock at the Palace on Parmer in a 6A-Division 1 playoff opener.

Lake Travis faces San Antonio Johnson next week.

Georgetown marched the length of the field to tie Burleson Centennial 35-35 as Jett Walker scored his 2nd TD of the night, this one on a 4-yard run.

The game is heading to overtime.

Johnson is pounding Laredo United 31-0 in the 3rd quarter.

Dripping Springs is 35 points better than McNeil 49-14 in the final stanza.

JD Jackson has scored again, this from 6 yards out, for Vista Ridge but Westlake leads 46-17 midway through the fourth quarter.

LBJ has increased its lead to 32-14 over Fredericksburg in the 3rd quarter.

Cedar Park has scored for the first time since the second quarter, but the Twolves still trail Red Oak 35-15 with 7:26 left in the contest.

Following a punt, Centennial has shocked the Georgetown home crowd with an 86-yard TD pass with around 2 minutes left in the game. The Spartans lead the Eagles 35-28.

Reggie Hurley has taken a 36-yard pass from Garrett Marshall for Round Rock but Lake Travis still leads 41-14 with 2:58 left in the fourth quarter.

Westlake has scored its fourth TD of the second half as the Chaps lead Vista Ridge 46-10 with 9:17 remaining in the game.

Though down early, LBJ has rallied to take a 25-14 lead over Fredericksburg at the half.

Weiss is now tied with Angleton at 28 in the 4th quarter.

La Porte leads Anderson 28-21 in the final quarter.

Burleson Centennial has come all the way back as the Spartans marched 83 yards to tie Georgetown at 28 with about 5 minutes left in the game.

Vandegrift leads Austin High 49-7 in the fourth quarter.

Liberty Hill has extended its lead to 27-18 over SA Sam Houston early in the third quarter.

Bastrop is not having any problems as the Bears are whitewashing SA Lanier 42-0 in the third quarter.

Brody Wilhem just took a pass from Rees Wise for 43 yards as Westlake now leads Vista Ridge 32-10 in the third. That is two TDs in 2 possessions for the Chaps in the third quarter.

It looks like Lake Travis will advance in the 6A-Division I playoffs as the Cavs’ Chaston Ditta has scored from 2 yards out. Lake Travis leads Round Rock 38-7 lead late in the third quarter.

If the score holds up, Lake Travis will face SA Johnson in next week’s Area round.

Burleson Centennial is rallying as they now trail Georgetown 28-21 in the fourth quarter.

Josiah Thomas has hit the trifecta as he has hauled in a 23-yard throw from Chaston Ditta for his third TD of the night as Lake Travis leads Round Rock 31-7 with 9:20 left in the 3rd.

QB Jack Appl has not played yet in the 3rd quarter for Round Rock.

Grady Bartlett has scored on an 8-yard run for Westlake as the Chaps lead Vista Ridge 25-10 in the third quarter.

Red Oak has pushed its lead over Cedar Park 35-14 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter.

Dripping Springs leads McNeil 21-7 in the third.

Vandegrift still leads Austin High 42-0 in the third.

Johnson is up on Laredo United 24-0 at the half.

Unofficially, Lake Travis’s Josiah Thomas has hauled in 5 passes for 161 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Cavalier offense. Defensively, USC commit Gus Cordova has 3 sacks of the Round Rock quarterback with a pair of pass deflections.

Georgetown looks like it will be playing next weekend as the Eagles lead Burleson Centennial 28-0 lead in the third quarter.

Red Oak is doubling up Cedar Park 28-14 in the third.

La Porte has taken a 20-14 lead over Anderson in the third.

Angleton has rallied to tie Weiss 21-21 in the third quarter.

Liberty Hill 14, SA Sam Houston 12 (2nd)

Bastrop 28, SA Lanier 0 (2nd)

Elgin 24, SA Jefferson 10 (half)

Fredericksburg 7, LBJ 3 (2nd)

Canyon Lake 14, Travis 2 (2nd)

Somerset 28, Taylor 0 (2nd)

La Vega 42, La Grange 0 (2nd)

Lago Vista 35, Bandera 3 (2nd)

Llano 27, Crystal City 7 (2nd)

Thrall 23, Tidehaven 14 (half)

Thorndale 21, Riesel 21 (3rd)

Vandegrift 42, Austin High (half)

Lake Travis 24, Round Rock 7 (half)

Dripping Springs 14, McNeil 7 (2nd quarter)

Westlake 18, Vista Ridge 10 (2nd quarter)

Johnson 10, Laredo United 0 (2nd quarter)

Georgetown 28, Burleson Centennial 0 (half)

Red Oak 21, Cedar Park 14 (half)

Highland Park 34, Rouse 0 (half)

Weiss 14, Angleton 7 (half)

Anderson 14, La Porte 14 (half)

Weiss has taken a 14-7 lead over Angleton at intermission in a 5-A Division I tilt.

Aiden Archer returned an interception 55 yards and a touchdown as Lake Travis extended its lead over Round Rock to 24-7 with 1:08 left in the half.

Vista Ridge has kicked a field goal to narrow the Westlake lead to 8, 18-10 in the second quarter.

Red Oak has scored 14 unanswered taking a 21-14 lead over Cedar Park with 2:22 left in the half. Red Oak’s Kingston McAdams scored on a two-yard run while Jacque Overton has scored on a 37-pass.

SA Sam Houston has taken a 12-7 lead over Liberty Hill in the second quarter.

Westlake has cashed in a Vista Ridge turnover as Rees Wise called his own number on a one-yard power run over the left side. The Chaps lead 18-7 in the second quarter.

Liberty Hill leads San Antonio Sam Houston 7-6 in the opening quarter.

Highland Park is dominating Rouse 27-0 in the second quarter in a 5A-Division 1 playoff match up.

Granger leads La Pryor 28-0 in the second quarter.

Thorndale has reached half as the Bulldogs are tied with Riesel at 21.

Thrall leads Tidehaven 16-14 in the second quarter.

Johnson leads Laredo United 7-0 in the opening quarter.

Elgin and San Antonio Jefferson are tied 10-10 in the second quarter.

La Vega is up 21-0 over La Grange in the first quarter.

Llano leads Crystal City 13-7 in the second stanza.

Vandegrift leads Austin High 21-0 in the second quarter. in a 6A Division II bi-district affair.

La Porte leads Anderson 14-7 in the second quarter.

Georgetown leads Burleson Centennial 14-0 in the second in a 5A-Division I playoff opener.

Bastrop leads SA Lanier 14-0 in a 5A Division II bi-district championship tilt in the opening quarter.

After converting on a fourth down, Grady Bartlett scored from 2 yards out to give Westlake the lead back 12-7 with 11:51 left in the opening half.

Cedar Park has regained the lead as Jamal Porter is on the receiving end of a 39-yard scoring pass. The Timberwolves lead Red Oak 14-7 with 7:41 left before intermission.

In 6A-Division I, Vista Ridge leads Westlake after 1 7-5. Using a 58-yard return the Chaps are knocking on the door looking to regain the lead.

Round Rock has scored as Jack Appl evades the Lake Travis rush to score. The Cavs still lead the Dragons 10-7 with 9:24 left in the half.

Braydon Doane has kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Lake Travis a 10-0 lead over Round Rock with 11:51 left in the second quarter.

At Westlake, Vista Ridge has intercepted a Rees Wise pass and returned it deep into Chap territory and JD Jackson has cashed in the turnover hauling in a 8-yard pass to give the Rangers a 7-5 lead with 1:58 left in the first quarter.

Red Oak has responded to Cedar Park’s opening score with one of its own.

Billy Middleton hits Brayden Robinson on a 29-yard scoring pass with 3:48 remaining in the opening quarter.

Westlake has extended its lead to 5-0 over Vista Ridge after a punt pinned the Rangers on the one-yard. One play later, Westlake’s defense swarmed the Vista Ridge running back for a safety.

Cedar Park’s Cameron Graham has scored from 19-yards out as the Timberwolves lead Red Oak 7-0 with 4:42 remaining in the opening stanza.

Meanwhile in Round Rock, Lake Travis draws first blood Josiah Thomas took a short pass from Chaston Ditta 46 yards for a score. The Cavs lead Round Rock 7-0 with 4:21 left in the opening quarter.

After holding Vista Ridge on a fourth down, Westlake took over and marched into the red zone but had to settle for a 28-yard Nolan Barkley field goal. Barkley’s third three-pointer of the year gives Westlake a 3-0 lead over Vista Ridge in the opening quarter.

Round Rock and Lake Travis are scoreless midway through the first as is Cedar Park and Red Oak.

After an initial first down on its first play from scrimmage pushed the ball into Vista Ridge territory, the Ranger defense held and took over as Westlake quarter back Rees Wise was sacked on fourth down.

Vista Ridge, 6-4, takes over near midfield.

Taking its opening possession

The Statesman’s Caleb Yum is at the Cedar Park – Red Oak 5A Division I Bi-district game where there are reports that Cedar Park running back Trae Hill’s season has been cut short due to an injury suffered during the regular season.

Round Rock hosts Lake Travis at Kelly Reeves

In a 6A-Division I matchup, Lake Travis (9-1) heads north into Williamson County as the Cavaliers take on Round Rock (8-2) in a Bi-district tussle.

Offensively, Lake Travis is led by the duo of qb Chaston Ditta and running back Vann Hopping. Ditta has thrown for 2096 yards with 20 TDs, while Hopping contributes 1041 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Round Rock counters with signal caller Jack Appl and a 2-headed monster at running back of Joaquin Maldonado and Moose Garlington. Appl has thrown for just over 1400 yards with 14 scoring throws. He has also added 8 scores on the ground.

Maldonado and Garlington have combined for over 1300 yards and 11 TDs.

The winner will face Johnson SA Johnson in the Area Round next week.

Panthers, Texans and Badgers roll into Area round

Pflugerville, Wimberley and Burnet all scored convincing wins in the Bi-district round of the state playoffs last night.

Pflugerville, the fourth-place qualifier out of 11-5A Division II, stunned 12-5A Division II champ San Antonio Burbank 63-13 at the San Antonio ISD Athletic Complex.

The Panthers, who upped their season record to 8-3, await the winner of the Iowa Colony – Killeen Ellison match-up in next week’s Area round.

Wimberley, 9-2, ran its winning streak to seven as the Texans whitewashed Pearsall 69-0 in the opening round of the 4A Division II playoffs.

The Texans will face the winner of the King vs. Rockport-Fulton in next week’s second round.

Lampasas routed Pecos 53-14 in the 4A Division I Bi-district round to advance to next week’s Area Round.

With the win, the 9-2 Badgers advance to the Area round where they will face the winner of the El Paso Austin – Dumas clash.

Manor New Tech was steamrolled by San Antonio Davenport 91-0 in the 4A Division I Bi-district round to conclude a 3-8 season.

Burnet, 5-6, saw the curtain fall for the season after dropping its fourth consecutive game, 35-21 to Andrews in the 4A-Division I playoff opener.

In the opening round of the 3A Division II playoffs, Van Vleck edged District 13 winner Blanco 48-41.

The Panthers end their season with a 7-4 mark.

Thursday night finals

Pflugerville 63, San Antonio Burbank 13

Davenport 91, Manor New Tech 18

Andrews 35, Burnet 21

Wimberley 69, Pearsall 0

Lampasas 53, Pecos 14

Van Vleck 48, Blanco 41

Westlake, Georgetown, LBJ finish atop regular season Statesman’s Fab Five rankings

#1 Westlake (9-1) hosts Vista Ridge

#2 Vandegrift (9-1) hosts Austin High

#3 Lake Travis (9-1) hosts Round Rock

#4 Round Rock (8-2) visits Lake Travis

#5 Dripping Springs (7-3) hosts McNeil

#1 Georgetown (9-1) hosts Burleson Centennial

#2 Weiss (8-2, 5-2) visits Angleton

#3 Bastrop (8-2) hosts San Antonio Lanier

#4 Liberty Hill (8-2) hosts San Antonio Sam Houston

#5 Pflugerville (8-3) beat San Antonio Burbank 63-13 last night

4A/Others

#1 LBJ (10-0) face Fredericksburg

#2 Wimberley (9-2) beat Pearsall 69-0 last night

#3 Lampasas (9-2) beat Pecos 53-14 last n

#4 Regents (9-1) – TBA

#5 St. Michael’s (9-1) – TBA

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