Daniel Rodriguez, the police chief for the city of Uvalde, has submitted his letter of resignation, a decision that comes on the heels of an internal report scrutinizing the police response to the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting. According to KENS 5, Rodriguez, who was not in Uvalde during the shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, expressed his "deepest appreciation" to his colleagues for their support and dedication. His resignation is set to take effect on April 6.
The Uvalde Leader-News reported that while Rodriguez stated he was not "forced, asked or pressured" to resign, there was a notable omission from his official statement; it lacks any reference to the May 24 massacre or the intense scrutiny faced by his department in its aftermath. Rodriguez has been the city's police chief since 2018 and was out of state on a scheduled vacation when the shooting occurred, leaving Lt. Mariano Pargas as acting chief on the fateful day.
Contradicting reports have mired the Uvalde Police Department in controversy. An internal review led by Austin-based detective Jesse Prado claims that the department's actions during the shooting did not constitute any wrongdoing or policy violations. Prado attributed failures to issues such as poor communication, unruly crowds, and officers not having the correct keys. However, this report starkly contrasts with findings from the Department of Justice and the Texas House of Representatives, which pointed out multiple police failures, including Pargas' inaction, contributed to the shooter's unchallenged presence in the school for 77 minutes.
In a statement obtained by KSAT, Uvalde Mayor Cody Smith conveyed gratitude for Rodriguez's 26 years of service to the community. Assistant Chief Homer Delgado will take over as interim police chief while the city manager and Smith embark on a search for a full-time replacement, in consultation with the City Council. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our community," Smith said, "and we look forward to working together to identify the best candidate to serve the people of Uvalde."
