+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Texas law enforcement ignores Spanish-language media at press conference after shooting, despite Uvalde's large Latino population

May 27, 2022, 02:25 IST
Business Insider
Law enforcement officers speak together outside of Robb Elementary School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. According to reports, 19 students and 2 adults were killed, with the gunman fatally shot by law enforcement.Brandon Bell/Getty Images
  • Law enforcement declined to answer questions from Spanish-language media in Uvalde.
  • At a press conference, reporters pleaded for responses "en Español."
Advertisement

Texas law enforcement wrapped up a press conference on the Robb Elementary School massacre Thursday without taking a single question from Spanish-language media.

Speakers of Spanish make up around 30% of Texas's population, according to US Census Data. In Uvalde County, where the mass shooting took place, half of families speak a language other than English at home — largely Spanish, with Latinos making up just under 90% of the student body at the elementary school.

At Thursday's press conference, reporters with Spanish-language media pleaded for answers "en Español," the language spoken by around 8 million Texans and more than 41 million Americans.

But despite being asked to "please" address the media in Spanish, Victor Escalon, a regional director with the Texas Department of Public Safety, walked away from the podium without responding.

Earlier in the press conference, Escalon walked back the claim that a school security officer that a school district police officer had opened fire on the gunman before he entered the building.

Advertisement

"That's not accurate," Escalon said, noting the gunman "walked in unobstructed initially."

Escalon said the shooter had entered the school via an unlocked back door. It took an hour before armed officers and a tactical team arrived at the scene and engaged in the shooter.

Nineteen children were killed along with two of their teachers.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article