Settlement Reached Ahead of Second Anniversary of Tragic Event
The city of Uvalde has agreed to a $2 million settlement with families of the victims of the devastating 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas. This announcement comes just days before the second anniversary of the tragedy.
Tragedy at Robb Elementary School
On May 24, 2022, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two teachers. The shooter barricaded himself inside adjoining classrooms, trapping dozens of students in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
A review by the US Justice Department revealed that local police failed to follow standard procedures, opting to wait outside the classroom for over an hour despite desperate calls for help from the children inside.
Details of the settlement
“The city of Uvalde has agreed to pay its insurance limit of $2 million, which is all that was available,” said Josh Koskoff, an attorney representing the victims’ families and known for his work with families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The settlement includes families of 17 deceased children and two survivors.
As part of the agreement, families have decided not to sue the city of Uvalde. However, they plan to pursue legal action against the state of Texas and the federal government regarding the law enforcement response.
Koskoff highlighted that the majority of the 376 law enforcement officers who delayed confronting the 18-year-old gunman were state and federal officers. Families filed a lawsuit in December 2022 against local and state police, the city, and other officials, seeking at least $27 billion in damages and class-action status for survivors.
It remains unclear how the recent settlement will impact this ongoing lawsuit.
Additional lawsuits and investigations
At least two lawsuits have been filed against Daniel Defense, the Georgia-based manufacturer of the AR-style rifle used by the shooter. Victims’ families have also called for criminal charges against officers involved in the delayed response.
Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell has initiated a criminal investigation, and a grand jury was convened in January to examine the incident further.
As Uvalde prepares to mark the second anniversary of this heartbreaking event, the $2 million settlement represents a step towards justice and accountability for the families affected by this horrific tragedy.