In a devastating school shooting that took place at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives, the families of 17 children killed and two injured have filed a lawsuit against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers. The lawsuit alleges that the officers waited 77 minutes before confronting the gunman. Additionally, the families are also suing the school's former principal, Mandy Gutierrez, and the school district police chief, Pedro "Pete" Arredondo, for their alleged inaction during the incident.

Announced on Wednesday, just days before the two-year anniversary of the shooting, the legal action seeks accountability from the DPS officers who, according to Veronica Luevanos, parent of a slain student, "cowered in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom."

Furthermore, the families' attorney revealed that the city of Uvalde has agreed to pay the families $2 million to avoid a lawsuit. As part of the settlement, the city has also committed to enhanced training for current and future police officers, the designation of May 24 as an annual day of remembrance, and the collaboration with the victims' families in designing a permanent memorial at the city plaza, among other measures.

During a press conference, the families' attorney, Josh Koskoff, criticized the state of Texas for failing to provide sufficient resources for training officers in small communities like Uvalde. He questioned whether the city had enough funds, training, and resources while emphasizing the need for accountability.

Koskoff also hinted that the families may pursue legal action against state and federal agencies, without specifying which ones. At the same time, negotiations are underway with the county to potentially reach an agreement that would avoid a lawsuit.

Javier Cazares, the father of one of the victims, expressed the unbearable pain the families have endured since the massacre and stressed the urgency for the "right thing" to be done.

The lawsuit may face a challenge due to the judicial doctrine of qualified immunity, which protects government officials, including law enforcement officers, from liability in lawsuits. To overcome this, the families would need to establish that the officers violated constitutional rights.

The U.S. Justice Department's investigation into the Uvalde school shooting concluded that the delay in confronting the gunman likely led to additional deaths. The report also highlighted failures in leadership and training within law enforcement agencies.

In response to the criticism, several law enforcement officers have resigned or been fired, including Pedro "Pete" Arredondo, the former school district police chief. Meanwhile, a Texas House committee investigation revealed "systemic failures and egregious poor decision making" by the majority of the 376 law enforcement officers who responded to the incident in an uncoordinated manner.

As the legal battle continues, the families of the victims seek justice and accountability for the loss of their loved ones in one of the deadliest school shootings in Texas history.

Neither city officials nor the DPS responded to requests for comment on the matter. The county prosecutor has declined to comment on the ongoing grand jury proceedings regarding potential criminal charges against responding officers.

The fight for justice and reforms to prevent future tragedies like the Uvalde school shooting remains at the forefront. The families and their attorney, Josh Koskoff, who previously represented families affected by the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, acknowledged the city's efforts to work with them in implementing changes to rebuild trust in the systems that failed to protect the students.

The painful journey toward healing and justice continues for the families affected by the Uvalde school shooting as they seek answers, accountability, and lasting changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.