The city of Uvalde, Texas, has had ongoing tension among law enforcement and officials since the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. The horrific shooting left 19 children and two teachers dead. A series of lawsuits have been filed regarding the response to the May 24 tragedy.

According to BuzzFeed News, one of the latest lawsuits is against District Attorney Christina Mitchell. The lawsuit alleges Mitchell has not provided investigation records and police body camera footage. The refusal to hand over the footage has made it impossible for a thorough investigation. The city requires the footage to determine if Uvalde police officers responded appropriately. The footage may also reveal if disciplinary action should be the next step.

Uvalde officials have hired an investigator to conduct an independent internal review. Jesse Prado of JPPI Investigations LLC is seeking all footage and written reports involved in the shooting, and Prado argues 300 police officers from 23 different agencies were on the scene.

However, Mitchell has refused to share the materials. She is allegedly conducting a personal investigation into law enforcement’s response.

The City of Uvalde released a statement on Thursday regarding the lawsuit.

“From day one, the city’s focus is on helping the entire Uvalde community, parents who lost children, children who lost parents, and young survivors navigate through the healing process,” the statement from the city reads, BuzzFeed reports. “Transparency and accountability are part of that process. We hope this lawsuit will allow the City’s investigation into the conduct of its officers to be completed so as to give the community and families the answers they deserve.”

Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez shared an image of the city’s official statement on Twitter and called out Mitchell for covering up the failures of law enforcement.

“It’s time for #Uvalde DA Christina Mitchell Busbee to STOP COVERING UP for DPS’ FAILURES on May 24. Parents and the public deserve the full truth. #txlege #LivesRobbed,” he tweeted.

The reasons for each of the investigations differ.

The district attorney’s investigation is centered on whether any aspects of the police response could get to the level of criminal charges.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the city investigation wants to start at the bottom and determine if department policies were followed.

 

In the documents, officials stated the members of the Uvalde community had “waited entirely too long for answers and transparency,” WRAL reports.

According to the outlet, Mitchell had previously stated her investigation would be done in November.

The community argues that the investigation delay has halted the healing process of the families affected by the shooting.

Blavity covered the news of the massacre and the national scrutiny over the 77-minute delayed response from Uvalde law enforcement.

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