Faculty district police chief Pete Arredondo dodged a query Wednesday in regards to the Texas Division of Public Security (DPS) director's comment that he made the "improper determination" in reportedly stopping officers from forcing their approach right into a classroom throughout final week's faculty capturing in Uvalde.

Arredondo, who has come below scrutiny for his actions in the course of the capturing, wherein 19 college students and two academics died, was confronted by a CNN correspondent who requested in regards to the remark by the DPS's Steven McCraw.

Arredondo responded that authorities have been going to be "respectful" to the households affected by the capturing, including that they have been going to "ultimately" clarify their choices in the course of the incident. McCraw didn't point out Arredondo by title in his assertion however nonetheless faulted the incident commander's determination.

After an outpouring of criticism and anger over the officers' actions in the course of the capturing, the U.S. Justice Division mentioned it will look into legislation enforcement's response. Arredondo was reportedly liable for the officers' delayed reactions in the course of the energetic shooter incident. The gunman was shot about 80 minutes after police have been knowledgeable of his presence on the faculty, and officers have been reportedly informed to attend earlier than coming into the classroom the place they thought he was barricaded.

Arredondo has not commented since giving two temporary press statements on the day of the capturing, in keeping with CNN.

Uvalde Chief Dodges Question
The college district police chief in Uvalde, Texas, is below scrutiny for his choices on legislation enforcement's response to the mass faculty capturing final week. Above, a memorial in Uvalde to the 19 youngsters and two academics killed on Could 24.Brandon Bell/Getty Photos

His temporary encounter with the CNN correspondent got here the day after the DPS mentioned Arredondo was not responding to requests made days earlier than for a follow-up interview with the division's Texas Rangers. However Arredondo disputed that assertion to CNN, saying he was involved with DPS "day by day."

Newsweek reached out to Arredondo for clarification and additional remark.

Whereas Arredondo has largely remained out of public view because the capturing, he was quietly sworn in as a Uvalde metropolis councilman on Tuesday night, in keeping with a assertion from Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin. Arredondo, who was elected weeks earlier than the capturing, secured practically 70 % of the vote, the Uvalde-Chief Information reported.

"Uvalde Metropolis Council members have been sworn in in the present day as per the Metropolis Constitution," McLaughlin mentioned within the assertion. "Out of respect for the households who buried their youngsters in the present day, and who're planning to bury their youngsters within the subsequent few days, no ceremony was held. Our mother and father deserve solutions and I belief the Texas Division of Public Security/Texas Rangers will depart no stone unturned."

McLaughlin mentioned in an earlier assertion launched Monday that the swearing in wouldn't happen as scheduled and that the town's concentrate on Tuesday could be on "households who misplaced family members" because the funerals started.

He added that Arredondo had been "duly elected" to the council and that there was nothing that legally barred him from taking the oath of workplace.

"To our information, we're at the moment not conscious of any investigation of Mr. Arredondo," McLaughlin mentioned.

Replace 06/01/22, 1:25 p.m. ET: This story was up to date with extra data and background.