Political | Process

“A decision was made on the scene – I wasn’t there — that this was a barricaded subject situation, there was time to retrieve the keys and wait for a tactical team with the equipment to go ahead and breach the door and take on the subject,” he continued. “At that point, that was the decision, that was the thought process.” 

McCraw later said “from the benefit of hindsight from where I am sitting now, that of course it was not the right decision, it was a wrong decision, very, there was no excuse for that.” 

“I wasn’t there but I’m just telling you from what we know, that we believe there should have been an entry as soon as you can,” he added. 

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said Friday that Robb Elementary School shooter Salvador Ramos fired off “at least” 100 rounds on Tuesday, based on audio evidence. 

McCraw said the door in which Ramos entered the school had been propped open by a teacher there prior to him crashing a vehicle near the building.

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said Friday that an officer responding to a report of a man with a gun at Robb Elementary drove past shooter Salvador Ramos prior to the 18-year-old unleashing his rampage. 

“[He] sped to what he thought was the man with the gun – to the back of the school – to what turned out to be a teacher and not the suspect,” McCraw said. “In doing so he drove right by the suspect who was hunkered down behind a vehicle where he began shooting at the school.” 

Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick announced Friday that he canceled his scheduled appearance at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Houston in order to “focus on the families” affected by the Uvalde school shooting. 

The decision comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would not appear in person at the event, instead opting to deliver a video message instead. 

“After prayerful consideration and discussion with NRA officials, I have decided not to speak at the NRA breakfast this morning,” Patrick said in a statement.