Lawyers Representing Victims and Family of the Robb Elementary School Shooting
Robb Elementary School, located at 715 Old Carrizo Rd in Uvalde, Texas, is the scene of the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012. Robb Elementary School was supposed to be a safe place for students, ranging from 2nd graders to 4th graders. The small town is devastated. The shooter, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, entered the school through a door that had been left propped open and killed 19 children and 2 teachers.
A Timeline of the Tragedy
The tragedy has affected the community of Uvalde, Texas and the rest of the country alike. Many people are trying to understand what happened, how it was possible for the shooter to enter the school, and why it took so long for the authorities to take any action. You can find a summary of what happened below:
- The shooter shot his grandmother and took her truck, crashing it into a ditch near the school shortly before 11:30am. He exited the vehicle wearing armor, armed with the rifle and ammo, and shot at two men across the street.
- A schoolteacher was propping open a locked back door when she saw the crash and the shooter. She went to call 911 (the call occurred right at 11:30am), but she left the door propped open.
- The shooter moved towards the school and started shooting into classroom windows. A school resource officer (not on campus at the time) responded to the 911 call and rushed to campus but drove past the suspect as he was crouched behind a vehicle.
- The shooter was able to enter the school at 11:33am through the backdoor that was left propped open. He entered classrooms 111 and 112, which were adjoining classrooms. He continued shooting in the classrooms.
- At 11:35am, only two minutes later, 7 officers arrived at the school and approached the locked classrooms. The shooter shot at them from behind the door, leaving 2 officers with graze wounds.
- Between 11:37am and 11:44am, the shooter shot 16 more rounds inside the classrooms. More officers arrived at the hallway outside these classrooms. At this time, there was a Facebook post from Robb Elementary School that stated that the school was on lockdown because of gunshots in the area. This prompted parents to flock to the school.
- At 12:03pm, a total of 19 officers were in the hallway outside the classrooms allegedly waiting for equipment and a tactical team. At this time, a girl in room 112 called 91l. At 12:10pm, she called back and stated that there were many people dead. She called 911 again at 12:13pm.
- At 12:15pm, members of the Border Patrol tactical team arrived with shields but waited outside.
- At 12:16pm, the same girl called again. She informed the operator that there were 8 to 9 students alive. Another student called 911 from room 111 just three minutes later. During another call at 12:21pm, three gunshots were heard.
- At 12:36pm, a female student called 911. This call lasted only about 21 seconds. She called back and asked 911 to please send police to help.
- At 12:50pm, the tactical team that had been outside waiting finally entered the classroom and killed the shooter.
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The Failure of the Responding Authorities
The shooter entered the school at 11:33am and was essentially allowed to massacre the students and staff in rooms 111 and 112 undisturbed until 12:50pm, when the tactical team finally entered the classroom and killed him. This was about 80 minutes later.
According to Texas Department of Department of Public Safety, Col. Steven McCraw, the failure to act was due to the belief that the situation “had transitioned from an active shooter to a barricaded subject.” He said that the on-scene commander believed that “there may not be anybody living anymore and that the subject [was trying] to keep law enforcement at bay or entice them to come in.”
What went wrong? Students inside the classrooms called 911 multiple times, confirming that there was still students alive and in dire need of help, but the authorities still failed to take action. The authorities have acknowledged that their response to the incident was inefficient. The unfortunate truth is that the innocent children and teachers died as a direct result of the delayed response.
Without a doubt, the negligence of the responding authorities contributed to the severity of the incident.
The Failure of the School
According to reports, a teacher who had propped the door open and witnessed the crash (and the initial shooting outside of the school) ran back inside to call 911 but left the backdoor propped open. Ultimately, the shooter was able to enter the school through this backdoor. There is no information regarding why the teacher had propped the backdoor open. However, the teacher’s reaction to run to call 911 could be considered normal. Regardless, it is possible that things would have developed differently if this backdoor – which would have normally been locked – would have been closed and the shooter wouldn’t have been able to go inside. This raises questions about the school’s protocol, including teacher training. Was this door to remained closed and locked at all times? Was this an emergency door? Why was the door allowed to be open? Did anyone else know that this door was open?
The shooter killed 21 people at the school, 19 students and 2 teachers. Without a doubt, the surviving family of the deceased could have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the authorities and even against the school district. However, surviving students and their families could also have grounds to sue. Some surviving students suffered severe gunshot wounds, while some suffered only grazes. Some students sustained no physical injuries. Still, all surviving students lived through a traumatic event that will undeniably change them forever. Some students recall smearing the blood of their dead friends over themselves and playing dead in hopes of surviving the shooting. Some students have made statements and said that they never want to set foot in the school again. The shooting is likely to leave surviving students with PTSD, fear, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, etc. Of course, the family of these surviving students are likely to experience this distress as well.
You have the Right to SueIf a member of your family was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School, or your child was injured in the shooting, you could certainly have grounds to sue. After all, if the school door hadn’t been left propped open and if the authorities would have responded differently, many injuries and fatalities, alike, could have been avoided. We understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone involved in the incident in one way or another, but we urge affected parties to seek legal help as soon as possible and contact us. We can help you take action against the negligent parties.
Contact the Downtown L.A. Law Group TodayHere at the Downtown L.A. Law Group, our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling all sorts of injury claims. Unfortunately, school shootings have become the norm. We can help victims and their families take legal action and fight for the right to compensation. Here at our law firm, we offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns – ensuring that you have all the information that you need to begin or continue your claim. Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that you will never pay upfront legal costs. In addition, we work on contingency; therefore, you will not pay unless you win. If you are ready to explore your legal options after this devasting school shooting, contact us today.
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