UVALDE, Texas – The principal of a Texas elementary school where 19 students and two teachers were killed two months ago in a mass shooting has been reinstated after a three-day administrative leave of absence, district officials said.
Mandy Gutierrez, the principal of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, received a letter from Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Hal Harrell on Thursday, KSAT-TV reported. The letter said that “as a result of our review,” Gutierrez would be able to resume her duties as principal and can continue “to serve all the families of UCISD.”
Gutierrez’s attorney, Ricardo Cedillo, shared the letter with the television station.
Harrell had placed Gutierrez on administrative leave with pay on Monday pending a review of security measures at the school, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
Gutierrez was asked to respond to a Texas House committee report that found security lapses at the school that made it easier for the 18-year-old gunman to enter the facility, according to the newspaper.
Gutierrez submitted a letter Wednesday to the committee defending her actions, KXAN-TV reported.
“It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue of Robb Elementary,” Gutierrez wrote, clarifying that the lock of a classroom door the shooter used to enter Room 111 worked, contrary to reports that it did not.
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The shooter killed the students and teachers in rooms 111 and 112, the Express-News reported.
The House report also stated that Gutierrez did not issue a lockdown order over the school’s public address system after receiving word that a shooter was crossing the school yard and heading toward one of the campus buildings.
In her letter to the committee, Gutierrez said she was trained that using the system could create panic and alert shooters, and possibly lead to more casualties, the Express-News reported.
“I feel that I followed the training that I was provided with to the best of my abilities,” Gutierrez told CNN on Wednesday. “And I will second-guess myself for the rest of my life.”
Neither Harrell nor UCISD spokesperson Anne Marie Espinoza responded to a request for comment Thursday, according to The Texas Tribune.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, Jr. speaks to the media following a news conference where the Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Leticia Cobarrubia, aunt of shooting victims Jackie Cazares and Annabell Roidriguez, wipes away tears as she listens to the Texas House investigative committee release its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Residents and family of shooting victims listen to the Texas House investigative committee release its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas state Rep. Joe Moody answers questions during a news conference after the Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tina Quintanilla-Taylor raises her and and voice as she tries to ask a question of the Texas House investigative committee at a news conference after they released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Family of shooting victims listen to the Texas House investigative committee release its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A Texas State Trooper and other members of law enforcement listen to the Texas House investigative committee during a news conference after they released a full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Michael Brown holds protest signs as the Texas House investigative committee prepares to present it’s full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Grace Valencia, great aunt of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia, left, arrives for a presentation of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
FILE – Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School on June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Nearly 400 law enforcement officials rushed to the mass shooting that left 21 people dead at the elementary school but “systemic failures” created a chaotic scene that lasted more than an hour before the gunman was finally confronted and killed, according to a report from investigators released Sunday, July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Vincent Salazar, grandfather of Layla Salazar who was killed in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, holds a report released by the Texas House investigative committee on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Two teachers and 19 students were killed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Crystal Garcia, stepmother of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia, talks to the media from the back of a vehicle after picking up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Crystal Garcia, left, and Sergio Garcia, center, stepmother and father of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia, talk to the media from the back of a vehicle after picking up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas House investigative committee chairman Rep. Dustin Burrows holds a copy of its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School as the committee meets, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Grace Valencia, great aunt of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia, tries to hold back tears as she talks to the media from a vehicle after picking up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Media talks to the parents and other family members of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia after they picked up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Vincent Salazar, grandfather of Layla Salazar who was killed in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, center, holds a report released by the Texas House investigative committee on the shootings at Robb Elementary School as he talks with the media, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Two teachers and 19 students were killed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Media approach the parents and other family members of shooting victim Uziyah Garcia after they picked up a copy of the Texas House investigative committee report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Artists work on a mural to honor Amerie Jo Garza, a student who was killed in the shootings at Robb Elementary school last month, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Artists work on a mural to honor Eva Mireles, a teacher who was killed in the shootings at Robb Elementary school last month, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. The Texas House investigative committee released its full report on the shootings at Robb Elementary School Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Esmeralda Bravo, 63, sheds tears while holding a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Two family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School comfort each other during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School embrace each other after a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Stormy Flores, 11, sits with a sign bearing the names of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, far right, prays with a man during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
A young girl listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, and Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco pray during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Esmeralda Bravo, center, holds a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, as she is comforted by Nevaeh’s cousin, Anayeli, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members and relatives of Nevaeh Bravo, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, attend a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
People listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Jailah Nicole Seguero was 11-years-old. She was in the same classroom as her cousin who was also killed. Her mother wrote on Facebook, "I’m so heartbroken my baby I love you so much mamas don’t ever forget that watch over me daddy and your sisters and big bro. Fly high baby girl.”
Ellie Garcia was 10-years-old. Her parents remembered her on Facebook. Her father said he had planned to DJ her birthday party. He said she was the happiest girl ever. Her mother wrote on Facebook, "My heart is shattered to pieces I love you baby girl. I will never stop thinking of you." A video shared on Twitter includes a video of Ellie on her birthday, sending her love to her dad. In the video, Ellie says, "When you get off work, I’ll be here for you. I love you, dad."
Irma Garcia was a teacher at Robb Elementary. It was confirmed through a GoFundMe site set up to raise funds for funeral expenses and family needs. Garcia was a wife and mother to four children. She died shielding students from gunfire.
Uziyah Garcia was 10-years-old. Uziyah was "full of life," according to an uncle, Mitch Renfro. He loved video games and anything with wheels. He leaves behind two sisters. "The sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known," his grandmother told KSAT. "I’m not just saying that because he was my grandkid."
Jose Flores Jr. was 10-years-old. He was among those killed at Robb Elementary, according to his father, Jose Flores Sr. His father described the fourth grade boy as an amazing kid and big brother to his two siblings. He loved baseball and video games.
The father of one of the children killed in Tuesday’s school shooting has identified his daughter as 10 year-old Amerie Jo Garza.
At least 19 students and 2 adults were killed Tuesday in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, roughly 80 miles west of San Antonio, CNN has reported.
Angel Garza took to Facebook early Wednesday morning to share that his daughter had been killed in the shooting at her elementary school.
A fourth-grade teacher, Eva Mireles, was also killed at the school. Mireles had been an educator for 17 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed running, hiking, biking and being with her family, according to her profile on the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District’s website.
Xavier Lopez was 10-years-old. Just hours before he was killed, Lopez was lauded at Robb Elementary’s honor roll ceremony according to his mother, Felicha Martinez.
