Uvalde Approves Settlement With Victims’ Families, Healing Process Continues

Nearly three years after the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, the Uvalde City Council has unanimously approved a $2 million settlement with the families of the victims. The agreement, funded through the city’s insurance coverage, was finalized on Tuesday after nearly a year of negotiations. 

In a statement, Josh Koskoff, the attorney representing 19 of the affected families, emphasized the emotional weight of the decision. “Faced with a difficult decision, these families worked with the community they love to make things right without creating deeper economic hardship,” he said, as reported by CNN. The families had previously expressed their desire to avoid a larger financial claim against the city to prevent pushing Uvalde into bankruptcy.

The settlement goes beyond financial compensation. Uvalde Mayor Hector Luevano said the agreement represents a commitment to healing and remembrance. The city will introduce new standards for police conduct, including a “fitness for duty” requirement and improved emergency training. May 24 will be designated as an annual Day of Remembrance, and a permanent memorial will be built to honor the lives lost. Mental health support for survivors and families will also continue.

Despite the settlement with the city, several lawsuits are still ongoing. Families are pursuing legal action against the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Uvalde school district, and individual officers, including 92 DPS members. Investigations into the delayed law enforcement response revealed a failure to follow active shooter protocols, which mandate immediate intervention.

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