Uvalde approves settlement with Robb Elementary victims, includes permanent memorial

UVALDE, Texas — The City of Uvalde unanimously approved a settlement with some victims of the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Nearly three years ago, 19 students and two teachers lost their lives in the devastating incident. In the aftermath, many families filed lawsuits against the city of Uvalde.

Last year, a settlement was reached, with the city agreeing to pay $2 million and implement a number of reforms:

• Implementation of a new “fitness for duty” standard for Uvalde Police officers, to be developed in coordination with the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
• A commitment from the Uvalde Police Department to provide enhanced training for current and future officers
• An agreement to coordinate with the families concerning the public safety risk and burden on police due to the prevalence of gun violence.

Part of that settlement also includes a permanent memorial for the students and teachers killed.

May 24 was established as an annual Day of Remembrance, and the city will support mental health services for the families, survivors, and community, attorneys for the families said.

During a city council meeting, council members stated that the settlement remains confidential and will now be presented to the families of the victims.

Mayor Hector Luevano gave a brief statement after the council reconvened after executive session.

"Nothing can ever make up the losses and harms these families endured," Luevano said. "But today's agreement marks an important step forward in advancing community healing and ensuring our city forever honors the lives we tragically lost and supporting all surviving victims in the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting."

Luevano said the city is working with community representatives for the families to design and build a permanent memorial in the city's plaza.

"We look forward to our continued work and collaboration with the Robb families," Luevano said. "We will never forget the lives we lost in this senseless act of violence."

Additionally, the state is considering allocating funds to support a permanent memorial for the Robb Elementary victims.

On Wednesday, an attorney representing the families released a statement in response to city council's unanimous approval of the settlement.

“No community is truly equipped to deal with the abject horror and heartbreaking aftermath of a mass shooting carried out with an AR-15. Still, 376 law enforcement officers failed to follow even basic protocols at Robb Elementary that could have saved lives. Faced with a difficult decision, these families worked with the community they love to make things right without creating deeper economic hardship. The road to healing is long and painful, but we are hopeful that this agreement enables families who lost so much and the city they call home to continue that process,” said Josh Koskoff.