The report from the Texas House of Representatives Committee on the shooting at Robb Elementary School revealed that the accused school shooter exhibited many warning signs in the days, months, and years leading up to the shooting. Although he was still legally able to purchase the assault rifle used in the shooting.
The shooting on the day of May resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals, which sparked public outrage and highlighted numerous failures by both law enforcement officers and the school, as revealed in the comprehensive report.
As per the report, the supposed perpetrator’s evident reason was a “craving for recognition and renown.” Prior to the incident, he had no previous record of criminal activity, as only individuals in his personal circle were aware of the numerous indications he exhibited.
Those interviewed by the committee, including family, friends and acquaintances, reported many warning signs that experts say should have raised red flags.
During an interview, John Cohen, a contributor to ABC News and the former acting undersecretary for intelligence and counterterrorism coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security, stated that the individual displayed nearly all the indicators. This individual ought to have captured the attention of everyone.
As per the report, he did not avail any educational assistance. Nonetheless, school authorities had recognized the alleged gunman as academically “at-risk” since the third grade due to consistently inadequate examination outcomes.
As per the report, the individual in question had conversed about unpleasant recollections of fourth grade with a companion only a few weeks prior. The incident itself occurred in the former classroom of the alleged assailant.
The teacher of the fourth grade informed the committee that she was aware the special help he needed and claimed to be a victim of bullying. She met with his mother and shared her concerns over these issues. She believed that he had a good year ultimately and said that he made friends in a safe classroom where space was provided.
Starting in junior high, he experienced harassment, as evidenced by the annotations discovered on the supposed shooter’s mobile device. As per the investigation, a few educators targeted the accused and his relative, as affirmed by certain members of the family as well. Nonetheless, the suspect’s family contradicted this narrative, asserting that fellow students subjected him to bullying due to his speech impediment, attire, and abbreviated hairstyle.
Concerning patterns.
He had also performed poorly on the standardized exams and course-end evaluations. Additionally, his grades were failing. The alleged shooter had a consistently bad attendance record, with more than 100 absences annually, starting in 2018.
The committee found that if it is unclear whether officers ever visit the alleged shooter’s home and regularly enforce truancy rules at any school, the local court does not provide resources.
Aside from a single 3-day suspension, the suspect at the disciplinary history school had almost no suspicion due to a mutual “combat” with the school.
As per the report, he was compelled to leave Uvalde High School in October 2021 due to his inadequate academic achievements and frequent absenteeism. By 2021, when he was 17 years old, the suspected gunman had only finished ninth grade.
The suspect, who is allegedly the former shooter’s friend, reportedly isolated himself and withdrew from the group at the beginning of the year.
As per the report, his ex-girlfriend characterized the presumed gunman as isolated and despondent, and mentioned that he endured constant taunting from acquaintances who labeled him as a “school shooter.” Additionally, because of his remarks, he was also referred to as a “school shooter” on the internet.
She said that the alleged shooter repeatedly told her that he wouldn’t live past 18 because he believed that he would either commit suicide or simply wouldn’t live long due to their breakup last year, which also responded to her and her friends harassing the girl.
The alleged shooter’s online activity also concerned him as he began to watch gruesome and violent images and videos, such as accidents, beheadings, and suicides.
He would terrorize those he played video games with when he lost. Allegedly, he made over-the-top threats. He particularly targeted female players, and he would use graphic descriptions and violent acts, including rape, to intimidate them.
The report on obtaining psychological treatment for sociopathy did not disclose the email that he received, which resulted in his internet research. Later, he may have wondered if he was a sociopath and sought out information on the condition, as suggested by his later use of the internet.
Allegedly, he encountered a comparable situation at Wendy’s. In 2021, after just one month of employment at Whataburger, he was terminated for making threats towards a female colleague.
As per the report, both of them declined, but he approached at least two individuals to purchase firearms on his behalf when he was 17. His family and friends were cognizant of his endeavors to procure firearms prior to reaching the legal age for such transactions.
The report suggests that no measures were implemented to limit his access or notify the authorities about him as a potential threat. Furthermore, even if other users had reported his online activities to any social media platform, none of the suspect’s online conduct was ever brought to the attention of law enforcement.
Laws concerning red flags.
Recent federal legislation includes funding for states to implement these laws, which allow family members or law enforcement to ask a civil court to temporarily remove guns from a person who poses a risk to themselves or others, either through red flag laws or extreme protective orders.
According to experts, if these regulations had been implemented, they could have potentially averted the shooting incident. It is worth noting that Texas does not currently have red flag laws like the 19 other states.
During an interview, Jeffrey Swanson, a psychology and behavioral studies professor associated with the Center for Firearms Law at Duke University, expressed to ABC News, “I believe this serves as a demonstration of the potential necessity of red flag laws. Furthermore, their extensive implementation could prove beneficial in this case.”
The alleged shooter in Uvalde showed sufficient indication of risks that his guns could have been removed under these laws, Swanson said.
Jarrod Burguan, the former chief of police in San Bernardino and a contributor to ABC News, stated that the revolving door system in the mental health sector has not been effective in protecting society from these types of attacks and forcing potentially ineffective treatment.
Burguan, based on state reports, said that the suspect poses a potential risk, as they can detain people who slip through cracks in law enforcement, potentially endangering millions of individuals. This risk varies, lasting up to 72 hours.
Burguan stated, “We need something that puts more pressure on the ability of the mental health system to stop people from walking away, allowing society to affect everyone else and forcing them into treatment and holding them.”
Expanding the availability of mental health services can be beneficial, but Cohen mentioned that law enforcement officials nationwide have expressed this worry, and he believes the recent federal laws address it.
Cohen recognizes the necessity of involving individuals who might present a danger in the execution of a plan that leaders, community members, and family members could collectively establish in order to effectively implement threat management strategies.
There is still a middle ground for mental health professionals working with law enforcement to act preventatively, based on an evaluation of a person’s behavior, to assess the risk and potentially arrest someone who may pose a risk, even if there is not enough evidence.
Uvalde:365 is an ongoing ABC News series reported from Uvalde, which explores the Texas community’s resilience and determination in the face of tragedy.