In a significant development, the families of the victims involved in the tragic Uvalde, Texas mass shooting on May 24, 2022, have announced a settlement with the city and county of Uvalde. The settlement comes nearly two years after the devastating incident, in which 19 students and two teachers lost their lives.

Expressing their relief, Veronica Luevanos, a grieving mother who lost her daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce in the shooting, stated that the settlement represents a vital step towards rebuilding trust in the systems that failed to protect their families. Luevanos and other family members had been waiting for accountability from law enforcement agencies that allowed the tragedy to occur.

The incident unfolded at Robb Elementary School, where an 18-year-old gunman fatally shot the students and teachers. Responding to the gunfire, officers from the Uvalde police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Texas Department of Public Safety were present at the scene. However, it was revealed that these law enforcement personnel waited for approximately 77 minutes before entering the classroom and apprehending the gunman.

Josh Koskoff, an attorney representing the victims' families, expressed their disappointment that no disciplinary action had been taken against the 26 members of the Uvalde Police Department who failed to confront the armed teenager. The families continue to demand transparency and accountability within the law enforcement agencies involved.

As part of the settlement, the families played an active role in initiating changes to improve the Uvalde Police Department. These reforms include enhanced officer training and the implementation of a new "fitness for duty" standard. Additionally, the settlement mandates community support measures such as establishing May 24 as an annual Day of Remembrance, forming a committee for a permanent memorial funded by the city, and ensuring continued mental health services.

Javier Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter Jackie was among the victims, emphasized the families' quest for justice and accountability. At a press conference, he stated that the time has come to do the right thing for their loved ones.

The city has agreed to pay a total of $2 million to the families through its insurance coverage. It was considered that seeking additional compensation could potentially push the city toward bankruptcy, an outcome the families wanted to avoid in their pursuit of healing the community.

The families also announced their intention to file lawsuits against 92 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The lawsuit claims that these officers failed to prioritize the immediate stoppage of the shooting, attending to the wounded, and safely evacuating those in harm's way.

In the upcoming legal action, the Uvalde School District, along with several employees including the former principal and school district police chief, will also be named as defendants. The families allege that the school's lockdown protocols, which consisted of turning off lights, locking doors, and maintaining silence, trapped teachers and students inside, leaving them reliant on law enforcement to respond effectively.

Furthermore, the families are planning to pursue legal action against the federal government due to the presence of over 150 federal officers at the school who reportedly delayed their intervention until the 77-minute mark.

With the settlement reached, the Uvalde community hopes to start the healing process while ensuring that accountability and justice are upheld for the victims and their families.