Entire Police Force Suspended by Uvalde School District and Superintendent Set to Retire Amid Fallout from Shooting

In a shocking move today, the Uvalde, Texas school district announced that it is suspending its entire police force as a result of the Robb Elementary school shooting that occurred at the end of the last school year.

Superintendent Hal Harrel also announced that he intended to retire, not long after the announcement, and the details of his retirement will be discussed at Monday’s school board meeting.

Both Lt. Miguel Hernandez, who was currently in charge of the department, and Ken Mueller, the UCISD’s director of student services, were placed on administrative leave.

The move comes as families of the victims, led by Brett Cross, guardian of 10-year-old victim Uziyah Garcia, had been holding a round-the-clock vigil outside the school district headquarters calling for change.

The families have commended the police department announcement as Cross told ABC News, “We’ve gotten a little bit of accountability.”

“So, it’s a win, and we don’t get very many of those,” Cross added. In a tweet, Cross reported, “245 hr update!!! We did it! And we are going home!”

David Hogg-led March for Our Lives responded, “BREAKING NEWS! This is heroic. We are in complete admiration of what you were able to do, Brett. Accountability now.”

Another parent of one of the victims said of the suspension, “What we’ve been asking for — it’s more than we’ve been asking for.”

It is unclear how long it will last or if any of the officers will ever be reinstated and the district has requested that Texas Department of Public Safety troopers be stationed on campuses and at extracurricular activities amid the suspension.