UVALDE – City leaders in Uvalde put an end to a years-long dispute involving former police lieutenant Mariano Pargas.
Pargas challenged his discharge from the department after the Robb Elementary school shooting.
The Precinct two commissioner acted as Uvalde Police Chief on the day of the Robb Elementary school shooting. He was generally discharged shortly after the tragedy and has been fighting to change that.
The council left his status unchanged in Tuesday night’s council meeting.
“There is no action taken on this item,” Uvalde Mayor Hector Luevano said after discussion in executive session.
Pargas lost an appeal to change the status of his discharge from the Uvalde Police Department to “honorable”
“Our niece could’ve survived if he acted like a leader and done his job,” Jesse Rizo said.
UCISD school board trustee Jesse Rizo and his wife Juanita addressed the council before the decision. Saying they hoped the council stayed firm in their decision.
“When I saw this on the agenda, I felt compelled — not only for Jackie but for all of the kids,” Jesse said.
The couple’s niece, Jackie Cazares, was killed during the shooting.
“Our niece had a heartbeat. [She] had a heartbeat when they pulled her out. She had a heartbeat when they took her to the hospital,” Rizo said to the council. “If he would’ve done what any leader would’ve done; she’d possible be with us today.”
He says he respects the council’s decision, adding the families fight for transparency isn’t over.
21 families are counting on it.
“19 children and two teachers, that’s 21, that’s a lot of birthdays that they’re not at the table,” Rizo said. “So just keep everybody in mind as they go through these challenging times. It’ll never get easy.”
Tuesday’s decision was another milestone in this more than three-year fight. Now, the families focus is getting all documents released as they try to find whatever closure they can.