UVALDE, Texas — A former Texas Department of Public Safety officer was recently fired by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District as a school officer after making comments regarding the Uvalde School Massacre.
Crimson Elizondo was heard on audio saying had her child attended Robb Elementary and there during the mass shooting, she "would not have been outside." Elizondo was one of the very first of nearly 100 DPS officers, one of the first of almost 400 law enforcement personnel, to arrive at the campus, CNN reported.
The gunman was in the school for 77 minutes before any law enforcement officer successfully stopped him. 19 schoolchildren and two teachers were killed as a result.
This is a slap in the fking face!!Arrived on scene 2 minutes after first shots were announced! Did nothing! At all because she “didn’t feel comfortable without gear” but says this…And to top it off. UVALDE CISD hired her after this to protect our schools!! TELL US YOU DONT CARE! https://t.co/5bSh5S1MDL
— Angel Garza (@AngelG0510) October 6, 2022
Parents of the victims called her words a "slap in the...face" knowing she was at the scene early but did not take any initial action.
2 minutes!! TWO DAMN MINUTES. They could have been saved, they could have been saved. This is not fair. I’m so sorry sweet girl. So many people failed you , your classmates , & your teachers. I’m so sorry. 😔
— Kimberly Garcia (@kim_amerie) October 6, 2022
Brett Cross, father of Uziyah Garcia, tweeted the Uvalde school administration knew who Elizondo was yet "knowingly hired her." He also added while Elizondo has been fired, the district "still will not suspend the others.
Parents have also called for the resignation of Texas DPS Director Steve McGraw.
McCraw WE ARE ALL WAITING FOR YOUR RESIGNATION!!! YOURE NO LEADER IN ANYONE’S EYES!!!!!!
— Angel Garza (@AngelG0510) October 6, 2022
McGraw said to a senate committee that the police response was an "abject failure" and would resign if troopers had "any culpability" in their delayed response in the school shooting.
“We are deeply distressed by the information that was disclosed yesterday evening concerning one of our recently hired employees, Crimson Elizondo,” Uvalde CISD said in a statement. “We sincerely apologize to the victim’s families and the greater Uvalde community for the pain that this revelation has caused. Ms. Elizondo’s statement in the audio is not consistent with the District’s expectations. Effective today (October 6), Crimson Elizondo has been terminated from her position with the Uvalde CISD."
District officials said an independent investigation is taking place to review the actions taken by law enforcement and await an organizational and management review of the district's police that will aid the force in making informed decisions for safety in the future.
Lives Robbed, an activist group formed by those impacted by the massacre, protest at the school district's building, calling for an investigation into the actions of their officers, and refusing to let staff in until those demands are met. Cross says "they", referring to UCISD staff, have yet to come into work.
25 News reporter Nick Bradshaw has reached out to both Texas DPS and Gov. Greg Abbott's office with no response.
