The local police chief was documented standing outside a classroom at a Texas school where an 18-year-old gunman committed a massacre, and is negotiating with killer Salvador Ramos. Angry parents and community members called for the dismissal of the police chief
The body camera footage documented the moment when Texas Police Department Chief Avalda repeatedly begged an 18-year-old gunman to lay down his weapon after opening fire in the classroom. Police Chief Peter Ardondo has been documented standing outside a classroom in a Texas school, trying to negotiate with killer Salvador Ramos.
In the documentation he is heard trying to persuade the boy to talk to him, trying to assure him that ‘it can be in a calm way’ and asking him “please put down your weapon”. Despite his pleas, another round of gunfire was heard from the class.
“Do you hear me sir?” He asked. “Sir, if you hear me, please put down your weapon, sir. We do not want anyone else to be harmed.” Angry parents and community members have called for the dismissal of police chief Ardondo since the May 24 massacre that left 21 dead, 19 children and two teachers. He was taken on administrative leave last month.
JUST IN: Exclusive body cam video from the law enforcement response to the Uvalde, TX school shooting. @ShimonPro obtained the video from the city’s Mayor.
It shows just how chaotic the situation was: pic.twitter.com/VppNuJ1d7b— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) July 17, 2022
Awalda mayor Don McLaughlin has previously revealed that a local negotiator tried to call Jura Ramos, but the gunman never answered the phone. Meanwhile, the commission of inquiry on Sunday released a preliminary report revealing that officials found “multiple system failures” and poor leadership of law enforcement on the day of the shooting.
The newly released video shows Ardondo trying to talk to Juror Ramos several times from the school hallway. During his initial attempt to communicate, Ardondo seems unaware that Ramos has barricaded himself in the classroom with students. “Let me know if there are children there or anything,” Ardondo pleaded. “It can end calmly.” The officer, is heard continuing: “Can you tell me your name, something that can help please?” But, Ramos did not answer.
Minutes later, the 911 emergency center alerted police that a student had called, revealing that children and teachers were trapped with the gunman. Six minutes later Ardondo is seen trying to open the door to a nearby classroom with a set of keys, but fails to do so.
He hands the keys to another policeman who did enter the room. Additional policemen, heavier armored, arrive at the scene, but no action appears to have been taken. At least 30 minutes passed before the police entered the classroom where Ramos was fortified and killed him.