Crime
US Customs and Border Protection Releases Report on Uvalde Robb Elementary Mass Shooting
The report, consisting of a summary and a full 200-page document, outlines the findings of the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility’s Critical Incident Review.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a comprehensive report detailing its agency’s actions during the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The report, consisting of a summary and a full 200-page document, outlines the findings of the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility’s Critical Incident Review.
Key Findings and Recommendations:
Command and Control:
- A lack of clear federal authority for CBP personnel to intervene in local-level emergencies.
- The absence of a unified command and control framework among responding law enforcement agencies.
- Gaps in existing training for breaching tactics in cases involving locked doors.
CBP Leadership Actions:
- Implementing policy changes for CBP interactions with local and state law enforcement.
- Reevaluating training standards to address lessons learned.
- Improving operational methods for better command and control.
Legal Authorities:
- CBP personnel had inconsistent understanding of their legal authority to respond to non-federal emergencies.
- Addressing vague and misunderstood authorities could lead to more effective incident responses.
- CBP personnel’s legal authority might be limited to that of a private citizen in non-federal emergencies.
Command and Control Personnel:
- CBP personnel received no instructions from state or local law enforcement.
- No established command and control framework resulted in delays and potential loss of life.
- Lack of access to accurate school layout and keys hindered response efforts.
Active Shooter and Incident Management Training:
- Existing CBP training on active shooter response was insufficient.
- Training focused on federal property and lacked NIMS and ICS protocols.
- Training did not prepare personnel for school-based incidents, locked doors, or command and control.
- Insufficient coverage of ballistic shields, legal authorities, leadership, and agency interoperability.
Recommendations for Legal Authorities:
- Ensure clear understanding of legal authorities for CBP personnel.
- Develop policies for non-federal mass-casualty incidents.
- Pursue statutory changes to define federal law enforcement authority.
Recommendations for Training:
- Provide proper training and familiarize personnel with NIMS and ICS protocols.
- Revise and adapt training curricula to emerging best practices.
- Establish procedures for following medical triage best practices.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the CBP’s involvement in the Robb Elementary mass shooting and offers recommendations for improving future responses to such tragic events.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.