Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian 

Top picture credit: City of Uvalde

  City of Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin released a statement earlier today accusing the 38th District Attorney  Christina Mitchell of being involved in a cover-up regarding the City’s investigation into the Robb School tragedy.

 Upon the release of the statement which appeared on Twitter and Facebook social media platforms about 12 Noon on Wednesday, August 30th, the Uvalde Hesperian reached out to McLaughlin to verify the statement was issued by him. 

 According to the statement issued by McLaughlin, it reads:  “The City hired Mr. Jesse Prado of JPPI on July 30th, 2022, approximately two months after the shooting with regard to the actions of Uvalde Police Department personnel. Since then, D.A. Christina Mitchell has refused to cooperate with Mr. Prado and the City resulting in the City filing a lawsuit against her in her official capacity in order to obtain the necessary information for Mr. Prado to complete the City’s administrative investigation.” 

“The City had to file suit a second time, because D.A Christina Mitchell continues to block the City’s investigation. We believe she is doing so, because her Chief Investigator Shayne Gilliland was onsite on May 24th at Robb School and this taints her entire inquiry into any possible criminal conduct by law enforcement,” McLaughlin’s statement read.

“Christina Mitchell should resign immediately,” McLaughlin said in the statement.

The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to 38th D.A. Christina Mitchell asking if she would like to respond to Mayor Don McLaughlin’s statement. She provided the following statement:

“If you read the lawsuit, it is clear that I have provided a great deal information to the city to conduct their internal investigation.  All the other law enforcement agencies have conducted their internal investigations without one piece of information from my office.  It is unfortunate that the city has not utilized the information I have provided to them to conduct their internal investigation. 

Disparaging elected leaders in our community serves no legitimate purpose.”- 38th D.A. Christina Mitchell

JPPI Investigations: Jesse Prado

“Jesse Prado is the Owner/Investigator of JPPI Investigations. He is a decorated, honorably retired, Austin Police Detective with over 25 years of dedicated service to the Austin Metro Area. Detective Prado spent his first 3 years on patrol in East Austin and was then transferred to the prestigious Organized Crime Division where he served over 21 years in a covert/undercover unit. Due to the magnitude of his investigations most of his cases were prosecuted in Federal Court,” – From the JPPI Investigations website.

The Uvalde City Council met behind closed doors with attorneys for about three and a half hours before closing out the meeting with a statement delivered by Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin.

 Kimbery Rubio announced Thursday July 27th edition of the Uvalde Leader-News her intent to run for Mayor of Uvalde. Her announcement follows Cody Smith’s announcement at last Tuesday’s July 25th Uvalde City Council meeting. 

  Both candidates will vie for the remaining term of Mayor Don McLaughlin who is required by state law to step down as Mayor after he announced his intention to run for the District 80 seat in the Texas House of Representative in the 2024 primary election to be held in March 5th, 2024.

 Uvalde City Council set a special election for the Mayor’s seat  to be held on November 7th, 2023.  The filing period for candidates wishing to run for Uvalde Mayor extends from July 26th through September 6th, 2023. Candidates filing packets may be picked up at the City secretary’s office during regular hours. 

  Kimbery Rubio is the mother of Alexandria “Lexi” Rubio, one of the 19 children who were slain during the May 24th, Robb School Massacre. 

  Rubio posted the following on Twitter, “I grieve for the woman you would have become and all the difference you would have made in this world. I grieve for the woman I was when you were still here. But, one part of me still exist, I am still your mom. I will honor your life with action. This is only the beginning.”

  Rubio currently works as an advertising account executive with the Uvalde Leader-News and before that worked as a staff writer/reporter. 

   In December of 2022, Rubio graduated with a Bachelor Of Arts degree in History from St Mary’s University with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. From a report by KSAT 12: 

  Rubio gained national attention following  the May 2th, Robb School Massacre as an activist advocating for stricter gun laws in Texas and the United States,

   If elected, Rubio would be the first female Mayor for the City of Uvalde.   She would also join the Uvalde City Council with Steve Balke who was elected as a Councilman while working as Sales Manager for the Uvalde Leader-News. He has since retired but still serves on the Council. 

  Cody Smith previously served as Mayor in 2008 and re-elected in 2010 currently works as Senior Vice President Relationship Manager for First State Bank of Uvalde. 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Picture credit: City of Uvalde

  Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin’s announcement to run for Texas State Representative District 80 seat will not allow him to see his four-year term as Mayor to completion according to Mayor McLaughlin in a phone interview with the Uvalde Hesperian on Monday morning, July 24th, 2023.

  According to McLaughlin, when he announced his bid for the District 8o Texas House of Representatives seat currently occupied by Rep. Tracy O. King he didn’t realize his announcement would, by Texas Election Law, preclude him from maintaining his position as Mayor. He said that if he knew that was the case he would have waited to officially announce his bid and instead say he was considering running for State Office.

  He also said that he legally remains as Mayor of Uvalde until a new mayor is elected, and once elected, eligible to serve. 

  The transition from one major to the next would occur a couple of weeks after the special election.  A special election will be on the agenda for Tuesday night’s May 25th City Council meeting.

  McLaughlin stated it was an honor to serve the Citizens of Uvalde County.

 Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has confirmed his intention to run for Texas State Representatives District 80. Texas State Representative Tracy O. King of the current seat holder. King announced earlier this week he would not seek another term.

  The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with McLaughlin over the phone Saturday morning July 15th.  McLauglin stated that the Texas House District 80 seat is an important seat and he would provide a voice for the people of Uvalde, Uvalde County and Southwest Texas and address the issues and concerns facing the district. McLaughlin had received national attention appearing as a guest on Fox News  and the Tucker Carlson Show discussing the Border Crisis and the migrant issue as it affects Uvalde as well as receiving statewide and national attention as the Mayor of Uvalde during the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School massacre on May 24th, 2024. 

 Mclaughlin stated he feels that raising the age of access to assault rifles from 18 to 21 is an issue that needs to be addressed while at the same time maintaining gun rights under the 2nd amendment. McLaughlin spoke highly of Representative King and his representation of Uvalde and Uvalde County.

  On Friday, May 12th at 5:38 PM the public relations firm, the Eisenberg Group released a statement signed by City and County elected officials as well as Uvalde CISD Superintendent Gary Patterson asking for privacy ten days before the May 24th one year anniversary of the Robb School Tragedy.  See story here.

  As part of the statement which was emailed to media outlets including the Uvalde Hesperian, the statement reads: “As a community, we respectfully request to be given the time, space, and privacy to remember those we lost, along with those who survived the mass shooting on May 24th. It is essential to the healing process for our community, and most importantly for our children to be given this time to grieve together privately.”

  The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to Mayor McLaughlin with questions about the statement, and McLaughlin responded via phone this morning, Tuesday, May 16th.

  McLaughlin said the statement was initiated by the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center. He said that both the Center and the City of Uvalde had been communicating with family members of the victims of the Robb Elementary Tragedy and it was understood that the family members wanted privacy on the day of May 24th. The Mayor said that a flier had been sent out inviting everyone to a candlelight vigil at the Uvalde Memorial Park Amphitheatre on the evening of May 24th.  According to the Mayor,the desires of the family members who asked for privacy may have changed since the signed statement was sent out last Friday.

  The signed statement released by the Eisenberg Group has been interpreted to mean outsiders should stay away from Uvalde during the anniversary time period.

  However, according to a flier by Lives Robbed, it reads, ” Families of those we lost on May 24th, 2022 invite visitors from all over the world to join us for a candlelight vigil at 7:30PM on Ma7 24th, 2023.”

Signed Media Message

 On Friday, May 12th at 5:38 PM the public relations firm, the Eisenberg Group released a statement signed by City and County elected officials as well as Uvalde CISD Superintendent Gary Patterson asking for privacy ten days before the May 24th one year anniversary of the Robb School Tragedy. 

 The statement reads, “As the one-year mark following the Robb Elementary School shooting approaches, our
entire community of Uvalde, especially the families of the victims and survivors, continue to grieve, process the trauma, and search for paths forward. We ask for peace and privacy during what will be a very difficult time for many, especially our children.
  The Uvalde community continues to face the impact of that tragic day. Despite the overwhelming support and efforts to assist with the healing process, the past eleven months have been challenging. The licensed professionals at the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center and other local agencies will continue to provide free emotional support and counseling for anyone seeking it. We welcome and appreciate your thoughts and
prayers and ask that if you feel compelled to support the residents of Uvalde, please host something in your hometown in our honor.
  As a community, we respectfully request to be given the time, space, and privacy to remember those we lost, along with those who survived the mass shooting on May 24th. It is essential to the healing process for our community, and most importantly for our children to be given this time to grieve together privately. “

 Please pdf. statement below.

 The statement was sent on a blank page rather than on any official letterhead.  

  The message does not specify to whom the statement is directed, although a portion of the message seems to address those living outside of the Uvalde area who may be planning on visiting the town on May 24th, 2023.

Signed Media Message

The City of Uvalde has filed a lawsuit with the 38th District Court against Christina Mitchell Busbee 38th Judicial District Attorney seeking help from a judge to compel Busbee to hand over all relevant law enforcement investigation records and materials from all law enforcement agencies related to the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting according to information from official press release.

The press release reads as follows:

“The Uvalde community has waited entirely too long for answers and transparency with regard to
the Robb Elementary shooting incident. Despite the City of Uvalde’s efforts to amicably obtain the necessary investigative materials for
its ongoing Uvalde Police Department’s Internal Affairs investigation, the District Attorney has
blocked the City’s ability to obtain critical information to assess its officers’ actions and
compliance with police department policies and expectations.
Today, the city of Uvalde filed a lawsuit against Uvalde County District Attorney Christina
Mitchell, in her official capacity, asking a judge to compel the District Attorney to hand over all
relevant law enforcement investigation records and materials from all law enforcement agencies
related to the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting.
The Internal Affairs review being conducted by an independent investigator, Jesse Prado, is
significantly restricted by the scope of evidence that has not been made available to Prado by
the District Attorney. The request in the suit is requesting that a Judge Order the District Attorney
to turn over the investigative information, solely for Prado’s investigation which will be subject
to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. No one from the City will have access to the
information requested to be turned over to ensure confidentiality of the District Attorney’s
criminal investigation.
From day one, the city’s focus is on helping the entire Uvalde community, parents who lost
children, children who lost parents, and young survivors navigate through the healing process.
Transparency and accountability are part of that process. We hope this lawsuit will allow the
City’s investigation into the conduct of its officers to be completed so as to give the community
and families the answers they deserve.”