An independent investigation into the response of local police officers to the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas has revealed "many failures" in their handling of the situation. The report, conducted by Austin-based investigator and former police detective Jesse Prado, was presented to the Uvalde City Council on Thursday. This investigation is just one of several probes into the massacre, with Texas lawmakers and the Department of Justice also criticizing the law enforcement response.

The report highlighted that nearly 400 officers from various agencies waited over an hour before confronting the gunman, leading to "cascading failures" in responding to the active shooter situation. The Uvalde District Attorney's office is still conducting a criminal investigation into the law enforcement response, with tensions between city officials and the prosecutor remaining high.

The city council meeting comes nearly two years after the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers. The meeting will also address the lack of transparency in the investigations, with concerns raised about the withholding of information by the district attorney. Families of the victims have been seeking accountability and answers, as misinformation and false reports regarding the law enforcement response have continued to surface.

Despite initial praise from Texas Governor Greg Abbott for the law enforcement response, subsequent investigations have revealed significant failures in handling the situation. At least five officers have lost their jobs, including the on-site commander and two Department of Public Safety officers. The lack of immediate action to stop the gunman and the subsequent mishandling of the aftermath have raised serious questions about the response to the tragedy.

As the community of Uvalde continues to grapple with the trauma of the school shooting, the city council's discussion of the independent investigation's findings will be a crucial step towards understanding what went wrong and ensuring accountability for the lives lost on that tragic day.