Twelve people were selected Friday to sit on a special grand jury intended to determine if law enforcement officers will face criminal charges related to the 2022 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
The 38th Judicial District Attorney, Christina Mitchell, told the Uvalde Leader News that her office continues to “dissect” the investigation into potential police response failure that was conducted by the Texas Rangers Division following the shooting.
“I want to ensure that our efforts in this process are careful, deliberate and fair,” Mitchell said. “I am continuously mindful of my responsibly to the victims, their families, to those under a cloud of accusation and to our community.”
The news of the grand jury comes just days after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a scathing report that found a lack of preparation, communication and urgency resulted in nearly 400 members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies standing outside the elementary school for 77 minutes while the gunman was inside.
According to the local outlet, jurors will serve as investigative tools for the prosecutor with power to subpoena witnesses and introduce evidence. Jurors will meet about twice a month, hearing testimony from witnesses and studying the case presented to them by Mitchell. They will then make a recommendation.
Families of the victims renewed their calls for police officers to face charges after the DOJ report cited unnecessary deaths, as officers detained parents who attempted to enter the school but did not go in themselves.
Nearly two years after the 18-year-old gunman entered Robb Elementary School and killed two teachers, 19 students and injured 17 others, criminal charges have not been presented to any member of law enforcement.
Since the shooting, at least five officers have lost their jobs — including two from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the on-site commander.
The Texas Rangers investigation that Mitchell will use in the grand jury proceedings did not result in any charges. The FBI assisted the Rangers in that investigation, but is not completing its own probe.
The Hill has reached out to Mitchell’s office for more information.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
