Uvalde Tragedy Exposed: Unveiling the Chaos and Lessons Learned for Future Crisis Response

It’s hard to read the report without wanting to hurt somebody. Read the following excerpt, and you’ll see what I mean.

DOJ Report Excerpt

The most significant failure was that responding officers should have immediately recognized the incident as an active shooter situation, using the resources and equipment that were sufficient to push forward immediately and continuously toward the threat until entry was made into classrooms 111/112 and the threat was eliminated. Since the tragic shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, a fundamental precept in active shooter response and the generally accepted practice is that the first priority must be to immediately neutralize the subject; everything else, including officer safety, is subordinate to that objective. Accordingly, when a subject has already shot numerous victims and is in a room with additional victims, efforts first must be dedicated to making entry into the room, stopping the subject, and rendering aid to victims. These efforts must be undertaken regardless of the equipment and personnel available to those first on the scene. Critical Incident Review: Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School | Executive Summary xvii This did not occur during the Robb Elementary shooting response, where there was a 77-minute gap between when officers first arrived on the scene and when they finally confronted and killed the subject. Several of the first officers on scene initially acted consistent with generally accepted practices to try to engage the subject, and they moved quickly toward classrooms 111/112 within minutes of arriving. But once they retreated after being met with gunfire, the law enforcement responders, including UCISD PD Chief Pete Arredondo—who we conclude was the de facto on-scene incident commander—began treating the incident as a barricaded subject scenario and not as an active shooter situation.

77 minutes and officers did nothing while over 500 school children and teachers were at the mercy of a madman.

UNSAT.

Rather than take a flame thrower to the officers on scene and point to clear leadership failures I’m going to discuss solutions in the hopes that someone in a leadership position can learn from this and take action. Like my first SEAL platoon Chief Dan said, “If you’re going to bitch about something you better bring a solution to the problem.”

Like gum on a shoe this has stuck with me ever since.

Lessons Learned

1. Law enforcement agencies need standardization 

Let me point out that there is a massive lack of coordination and standardization in law enforcement agencies across the United States.

In the military and SEAL Teams we thrive on standardization and best practices. They are trained the same, speak the same tactical language and can integrate with each other in a complex environment with ease.

Law enforcement leadership should take a hard look, even if it’s only state-wide, at standardization of training. As it sits now, one county does it different than another and so on and you end up with a Uvalde situation.

2. Mans best friend. School K9s should be standard operating procedure

If you’ve worked with military and police dogs you know that these incredible high drive animals will work themselves to death in support of their mission. A dog handler on campus is a far cry better than arming teachers who, like the officers on scene, will likely freeze up when shots are fired and the shell casings hit the floor.

A dog would go full out to protect and neutralize a shooter.

3. Everyone wearing a uniform is a leader

If there is a clear lack of leadership on scene, then you have to be a leader regardless of your rank.

Like my CIA GRS friends in Benghazi who disregarded a direct order from their CIA chief of base (he was later given an award) to not help the State Department personnel who came under attack. Navy SEAL/GRS Operative Ty Woods went anyway, and his heroic leadership resulted in the successful rescue of the entire DOS staff minus Ambassador Stevens who would later die from smoke inhalation.

It would have taken just one officer on the scene to say, “Fuck this I’m going in.”

How many times have we seen incompetence at the highest levels? Sometimes you gotta do what you know is best. Leadership, like cowardice, is contagious.

Remember that.

4. A Good plan executed now is better than a great plan executed 77 minutes to late 

This is the first lesson we learn in the SEAL Teams and its written in blood. In high-stakes situations, like those we faced in the SEALs, hesitation or waiting for a perfect plan can be more detrimental than making a decision with the information at hand. It’s about adaptability, decisiveness, and action. In the field, conditions change rapidly; a good plan executed with conviction often outweighs the benefits of a perfect plan that comes too late. Quick, confident decisions, even with imperfect information, are essential in the unpredictable, dynamic environments we operate in. This principle doesn’t just apply to military operations, but to life’s everyday challenges as well.

Conclusion

In summary, facing the Robb Elementary tragedy demands not just outrage, but action and learning. As in the SEALs, where quick, decisive action is vital, law enforcement needs standardized training and coordination. Introducing K9s in schools and recognizing that leadership isn’t about rank, but action, are crucial steps. We must embrace the military ethos: a good plan now beats a perfect plan too late. This is about adaptability, decisiveness, and courage, principles that apply beyond military operations to every aspect of life and society.

Let’s learn, lead, and ensure such tragedies are never repeated.

You can read the full DOJ report here but you better grab a stiff drink.

DOJ Uvalde Report-SOFREP.com