Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin and the Uvalde city council criticized the media on Tuesday after releasing footage showing the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
The Austin American-Statesman released the video. Uvalde residents complained the council’s anger should be directed at cops instead of the media.
“The way that video was released today is one of the most chicken things I’ve ever seen,” said McLaughlin.
In particular, McLaughlin was concerned with footage showing the gunman walking into the school with an assault rifle before firing gunshots.
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McLaughlin and the council worried that the families of the victims would see the video.
“Two-thirds of the family or part of their families are in Washington, D.C., now, and they’re going to have to turn on the TV and see that tonight,” the mayor said. Uvalde families were in Washington, D.C., in a protest pushing legislators on gun control.
Uvalde families were upset at seeing police holding back and waiting while the gunmen continued shooting students.
Statesman journalist Tony Plohetski wrote, “The video tells in real time the brutal story of how heavily armed officers failed to immediately launch a cohesive and aggressive response to stop the shooter and save more children if possible.”
Some members of the audience attending the meeting spoke to the council.
One representative on the council said it was “chickens**t” to release the video.
An audience member then replied, “What about the cops? Are they chickens**t?” Police are under fire for waiting over an hour before moving in on the gunman.
One person shouted “You’re out here attacking the media. You should be attacking the cops.”
The Uvalde shooting occurred on May 24 and 21 people died, including 19 elementary students and two teachers. The killings sparked a nationwide debate about guns, as well as the police response to the crisis.
