Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Shields & Coverups

 The Uvalde massacre becomes more horrifying with each new detail.  The police said they retreated after exchanging gunfire with the shooter because they were outgunned and lacked protection, leaving the shooter free to massacre children.  KVUE's Tony Plohetski gives lie to that story on Twitter: 


Multiple officers were inside Robb Elementary School with rifles and at least one ballistic shield at 11:52 a.m. the day of the shooting, new video and other evidence shows. They didn’t enter the classroom for another 58 minutes.

Investigators believe this is significant because it indicates they had more than enough firepower and protection to enter the classroom before they did. Officers were growing impatient far sooner: “If there’s kids in there we need to go in there,” one said on body camera video.

Unfortunately, the horror doesn't end with the photo. The San Antonio Express reported: 

Surveillance footage shows that police never tried to open a door to two classrooms at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde in the 77 minutes between the time a gunman entered the rooms and massacred 21 people and officers finally breached the door and killed him, according to a law enforcement source close to the investigation. 

Investigators believe the 18-year-old gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at the school on May 24 could not have locked the door to the connected classrooms from the inside, according to the source. 

All classroom doors at Robb Elementary are designed to lock automatically when they close and can only be locked or unlocked from the outside with a key, the source said. Police might have assumed the door was locked. Yet the surveillance footage suggests gunman Salvador Ramos, 18, was able to open the door to classroom 111 and enter with assault-style rifle — perhaps because the door malfunctioned, the source said.... 

Regardless, officers had access the entire time to a “halligan” — a crowbar-like tool that could have opened the door to the classrooms even if it was locked, the source said....

Arredondo was not trying those keys in the door to classrooms 111 and 112, where Ramos was holed up, according to the law enforcement source. Rather, he was trying to locate a master key by using the various keys on doors to other classrooms nearby, the source said.... Article

 However, never fear.  The police are doing what bureaucrats always want to do: cover up.  Vice News reported: 

The City of Uvalde and its police department are working with a private law firm to prevent the release of nearly any record related to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in which 19 children and two teachers died, according to a letter obtained by Motherboard in response to a series of public information requests we made. The public records Uvalde is trying to suppress include body camera footage, photos, 911 calls, emails, text messages, criminal records, and more.

The letter makes clear, however, that the city and its police department want to be exempted from releasing a wide variety of records in part because it is being sued, in part because some of the records could include “highly embarrassing information,” in part because some of the information is “not of legitimate concern to the public,” in part because the information could reveal “methods, techniques, and strategies for preventing and predicting crime,” in part because some of the information may cause or may "regard … emotional/mental distress," and in part because its response to the shooting is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, the FBI, and the Uvalde County District Attorney. The letter explains that Uvalde has at least one in-house attorney (whose communications it is trying to prevent from public release), and yet, it is using outside private counsel to deal with a matter of extreme  importance and public interest. Uvalde’s city government and its police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Motherboard.... Article

Hmmm.... sounds like a certain Mississippi public official who doesn't want to say how many police officers were working at a festival in downtown Jackson. 


24 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is basically a preview of how JPD would handle an active shooter but with less surly 911 staff.

Anonymous said...

Guess this dead horse needs more beating. They fucked up. You, I and basically anyone with common sense knows that. Bitching will not change anything.

Anonymous said...

Tony Plohetski is a Tylertown, MS native and one heck of a good reporter.

Anonymous said...

The community gets the equipment, training and personnel the budgets/tax base can afford. There should be absolutely no defund the police discussions anywhere. Take a look at what is happening in California, New York, Chicago and closer to home, Jackson. It is going to take more than increase the police funding to stop the crime. It’s going to take complete turnover of the elected officials. Sometimes conservative judgment is better than liberals allowing criminals to take over.

Anonymous said...

All these “leaked” videos do is make these events seem even more fishy. Just like the Las Vegas shooter, they waited so long and just let them keep killing. Reminds me of how on 9/11, NORAD ordered the F-16 interceptors to stand-down while en route to shoot down the hijacked airliners.

It’s like these tragedies can’t be stopped when set in motion from above and TPTB are actively stopping all attempts to reverse course.

Here you see what appears to be officers who weren’t “in the know” (probably not members of a secret society) being told to stand down by “in the know” brass above them, who gave those orders because they received a cryptic measage that used language and phrases taught in secret society lodges around the world.

Anonymous said...

Ummm, that looks like a Level III shield. That's not rated to stop rifle bullets, not even close. It would be useless against an AR. One would need a Level 4 shield to provide any protection. The L4 shields that I've seen have wheels because the weight a couple hundred pounds.
I'm not defending what the police did, just pointing out that the reporter is not any better at reporting than they are at policing.

Anonymous said...

Different towns and cities have different rules they follow when they hire police. Some want prior experience, some want training, some want to hire buddies and relatives. It may come as a surprise to many but the hiring of buddies and relatives can cause problems if there is ever a real need of police officers. In other jobs hiring buddies and friends will just cost extra money to pay someone else to do their job. With police it can cause the death of someone.

Anonymous said...

The days of dismissing seemingly outlandish conspiracy theories are over. The world has changed.

Anonymous said...

A whole Cop Shop with Vests, M4’s, Shotguns, and Pistols claimed they were outgunned, WOW. They must’ve been trained by a mall security school. This is why I carry, to protect myself from nut jobs and cops who can’t, won’t, or too scared to do their job.

Anonymous said...

Uvalde - when seconds count the police are hours away.

Anonymous said...

The way the Texas governor lied so casually and confidently directly after the shooting is chilling. Not sure how any Texan could vote for that scum again.

Anonymous said...

Just keep your heads in the sand jambalaya commenters. Write it off to whatever works: conspiracy, defund the police, fake news etc. These mass shootings are all too common today. Mississippi has had them and will have more unfortunately. That’s just how it works when you do absolutely nothing to address the problem. I mean, police and good guys are the solution you gave us, and look how that worked out.

Anonymous said...

It seems the Chief was trying to delay as long as possible to limit the threat to his officer’s. It’s a shame he wasn’t as protective of the children and teachers, but they are not on his side of the thin blue line so he didn’t care. Fire them all and prosecute them for whatever will stick. If they only serve time for the coverup, it’s better than nothing.

Anonymous said...

@11:50am - Level III armor is rated to stop up to .308 Win

I think you’re confused with level IIIA shields, which is probably what it was, and wouldn’t have stopped a round from an AR-15

Anonymous said...

Seeing as how the most obvious solution to these unacceptable murderous rampages is to somehow force parents to actually participate in the lives of, and raise kids that are mentally stable 3:07; how do you propose we JJ commenters ensure that happens?

When did it become 'asking too much' to hold parents accountable for their demon spawn?

Anonymous said...

Really, I don’t see the big deal. Law Enforcement have no duty to respond to a call for help, none at all.

Anonymous said...

Fox News: Uvalde city council to consider leave of absence for school police chief Arredondo as pressure mounts.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/uvalde-city-council-consider-leave-absence-school-police-chief-arredondo-pressure

Anonymous said...

It's true, there's no legal imperative for law enforcement to render assistance.

That absence of legal imperative does not do away with "moral" imperative. The right thing to do was to assist, render aid, to attempt to save the life of those teachers, and children.

The Supreme Court may have removed the legal imperative, but it in no way removes the moral imperative.

In side those law enforcement uniforms were human beings. Their feelings for other human beings, weaker than themselves, should have been the motivator to move them to action.

Some will say we should not judge these men, and I agree. What I also agree with, is that every man there judged themselves as cowards when they refused to render assistance, and with their own assessment I agree.

Anonymous said...

That there are still people who believe we should give up our guns because the police will come save the day is insane.

No one cares more about your life than you do so you best be prepared to protect it, and your family.

Hell, if you're in Hinds County, you probably won't even get an answer when you call 911.

We're on our own. Facts.

Anonymous said...

The Uvalde school police chief needs to be indicted for at least 19 counts of involuntary manslaughter. He is easy to identify, as he has FOUR STARS on each uniform shoulder, like a third-world general.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why it's so difficult to admit that they made a horrible judgement call.
They should just stop lying and admit that they prioritized life outside of those two classrooms. Go in guns blazing, and I'm sure that innocent children would've been hit in the crossfire along with an officer. They're cowards, end of story.

Anonymous said...

@ 3:21
So I assume you would hold up Chicago and New York who have draconian defense laws as examples of what we should do? I will take my chances in a place where I can provide for myself….

Anonymous said...

Outgunned by a single 18 year old🤡. I have no worries when they come for my guns.

Anonymous said...

9:15, it does make it sound like a joke if a single kid can hold off so many police officers without even locking the door. What are they going to do when a grown up decides to take them on?



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.