Uvalde families say their fight for justice continues despite discovery of new bodycam video

UVALDE, TEXAS — The discovery of additional bodycam videos by Uvalde police, announced on Wednesday, is another major blow to the families of the victims and survivors of the mass murder.

Some of them say it's a slap in the face that they found out at the same time as everyone else.

Uvalde Police are currently investigating how the Robb Elementary School officers' footage slipped through the cracks. Police Chief Homer Delgado provided a timeline of when the information was leaked to date:

June 2022 – Uvalde Police provide video footage and recordings to the Texas Rangers, who in turn passed the documents on to District Attorney Mitchell

August 10, 2024 – City of Uvalde releases footage pursuant to TPIA in accordance with District Court order

August 12, 2024 – Officer alerts department and Chief Delgado, he believes there is additional footage

August 12, 2024 – Chief Delgado orders an immediate comprehensive audit of all UPD servers and an internal investigation into oversight of disclosure of original records.

August 12, 2024 – Additional footage is discovered and District Attorney Mitchell is notified

August 13, 2024 – Additional footage provided to DA Mitchell for review, comprehensive UPD review and internal investigation continues

“I didn’t know about it until we started getting calls from various people who aren’t affiliated with the city. [of Uvalde] or the [Uvalde] Police or the [District Attorney],” said Brett Cross, Uziyah Garcia's guardian.

Cross lost his son Uziyah Garcia in the May 2022 mass shooting that left 21 people dead.

He is one of several families of victims and survivors who told us they didn't find out until everyone else did.

Cross wants the public to know what happened during the 77 minutes that the more than 370 police officers on the scene failed to confront the shooter. He also said he wants the victims' families and survivors to have the opportunity to see it first.

Amid a difficult week for the families of victims and survivors, Cross said this spurred his commitment to finding the truth.

“People don't seem to understand that as tired and exhausted as we are, we are not going to give up,” Cross said.

Cross and Jesse Rizo, Jackie Cazares' uncle, both said the announcement took them completely by surprise.

“It's like the crust is getting bigger and bigger and more painful. So, yeah, honestly, it's disturbing,” Rizo said.

According to the schedule provided when the files were turned over, former Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez headed the department.

“I would say to Rodriguez that was a big disappointment,” Rizo said.

Both men have several questions that they say they would like to have answered immediately.

“Will there be more criminal charges? I certainly hope so. I really hope this new information will lead to that, but I'm not so confident,” Cross said.

“Anyone responsible will be held accountable, whether it was intentional or deliberate. It is a serious mistake, a serious problem that has been discovered,” Rizo said.

We have contacted the number we have used in the past for former Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez, but have not yet received a response.