Uvalde SWAT team brags about training in schools on Facebook
Like many cities in the US, there is a SWAT team in Uvalde, Texas. According to a 2020 Facebook post, the Uvalde SWAT team trained exclusively in schools in the area.
Uvalde Police Department Facebook page.
“The Uvalde Police Department SWAT will be visiting Uvalde CISD schools, Uvalde Classical Academy and local businesses throughout the day,” it said in a Facebook post on February 11, 2020. “The purpose of the tours is to familiarize ourselves with the layout of our local schools and businesses. SWAT members will be in full tactical uniform and we didn’t want the public to panic when they saw it. We appreciate the cooperation.” [sic] of all schools and businesses involved. We will continue to work together to make Uvalde the safest place to live.”
It is not clear whether the Uvalde SWAT team was present at Rob Elementary School when it was attacked by a gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers. According to an Associated Press report and social media footage, Uvalde police assaulted, molested and prevented parents from entering the school outside the school during the massacre. The onlookers there shouted at the police, “Get over there! Get in!” The AP reports that at least one parent who begged police to go inside later learned that their child had been murdered in a massacre.
According to police reports and witnesses’ accounts, both of which are spotty, the gunman fought with a so-called school resource officer before entering the building and barricading himself in the classroom. He was in the school for about 40 minutes. The standoff ended when Customs and Border Patrol agents gathered at the scene, broke into orbit and killed the gunman. It is unclear where Uvalde’s SWAT team was during those 40 minutes or when the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) ended the shooter’s life.
Uvalde’s police chief and city hall did not immediately respond to VICE’s request for comment.
