Uvalde’s Mayor Don McLaughlin announced on November 17 in the late afternoon that Lt. Mariano Pargas, who served as acting police chief on the day of the Robb Elementary School shooting, had left the Uvalde Police Department.

Also Read| Nancy Pelosi steps down as House Democratic leader: Here are potential leaders who can replace her

Pargas’ resignation comes ahead of a rare “special meeting” called by the city on November 19 to decide his fate. According to McLaughlin, his resignation is effective immediately. On May 24, nine children and two adults were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde County. It is the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.

Also Read| SpaceX violated labour laws: Fired employees complain to National Labor Relations Board

Who is Lt. Mariano Pargas

On the day of the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Lt. Mariano Pargas was the acting police chief. He had been a member of the Uvalde Police Department for 18 years. Pargas was one of nearly 400 law enforcement officers who responded to the Robb Elementary shooting on May 24 but had to wait more than an hour for the gunman to be apprehended.

Also Read| Who is Gracelyn Pratt? Amber Alert issued for missing Casper, Wyoming girl

Pargas was placed on leave in July after a Texas House report revealed that the Uvalde response was the fault of several law enforcement agencies. His suspension was the first sign of official repercussions after a damning state report revealed that police officers ignored active-shooter training.

Also Read| 80 for Brady: Release date, cast, plot, trailer, all you need to know

His resignation comes after a CNN report revealed that he was told that “eight to nine” children were alive in classrooms at Robb Elementary but failed to organize assistance. If he had not been terminated by then, the 65-year-old was expected to be terminated during a scheduled meeting on November 19.