The saga of the Uvalde school shooting has taken a significant turn as Steve McCraw, head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, delivered testimony before a Uvalde grand jury on Wednesday. As reported by KENS5, McCraw's deposition comes amid inquiries into the potentially criminal missteps by law enforcement during the Robb Elementary School tragedy, where 19 students and two teachers were brutally killed.
Last week, the American-Statesman disclosed that a number of officers, including from the DPS, were summoned to appear, though the specifics of these testimonies haven't been made public due to grand jury confidentiality. McCraw, who oversees the Texas Rangers that conducted the initial review of the police's handling of the incident, has previously described the official response as "an abject failure," and his visit is a concrete indication that officials from all ranks may be obligated to face the grand jury.
The jury, tasked with unraveling the tragic events of May 24, 2022, when a gunman marauded through the school premises for over an hour, is assessing whether the chaotic and lethargic law enforcement actions could lead to charges such as child endangerment. The investigation into why DPS officers on the scene didn't immediately neutralize the shooter has cast a shadow over McCraw's department, which has since adjusted its policies to allow troopers to assume command in similar situations.
McCraw arrived without fanfare at Uvalde's Garner Field via state plane, was driven to the Uvalde County Fairplex, where the grand jury convened. Questions remain concerning the two DPS troopers who were fired and, the expectation of McCraw’s contribution to the case could not be more palpable. According to the American-Statesman, his agency has been under "a particular microscope" since the fateful day's events unfolded.
Meanwhile, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) has confirmed that several of its members from the Uvalde Police Department have been called before the grand jury. In a statement obtained by KENS5, the union expressed its intention to provide legal assistance and urged full cooperation with ongoing investigations. As of now, no criminal charges have been levied in connection with the Robb Elementary shooting debacle.
