A Texas appeals court has ordered Uvalde County and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) to release long-withheld public records related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting. The Texas Fourth Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a coalition of media organizations represented by Haynes Boone, including dozens of local and national news outlets.
The decision affirms a previous summary judgment ruling from the 38th Judicial District Court of Uvalde County in July 2024 that found the agencies violated the Texas Public Information Act by improperly withholding records.
For more than three years, the firm has represented news organizations seeking records that could reveal critical details about the law enforcement response to the attack that killed 19 children and two teachers. Government agencies have refused to release the materials, which include unseen body camera footage from responding officers, radio communications and internal emails and text messages, citing law enforcement exemptions.
“This ruling sends a clear message that government agencies cannot hide behind vague legal claims to avoid transparency,” said Haynes Boone Media Law Chair Laura Prather. “The public has waited more than three years for answers about what went wrong that day. This decision brings us one step closer to those answers and preventing future tragedies.”
Prather argued the case before the appeals court in March 2025 with support from Haynes Boone Associate Reid Pillifant.
The appeals court ruling marks another key victory for transparency and accountability after Haynes Boone secured a settlement with the City of Uvalde in August to release its records related to the shooting, including police video, audio, texts and emails.
Separately, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to withhold records detailing the 77-minute law enforcement response. In October, Haynes Boone represented the media coalition arguing before the Fifteenth Court of Appeals to force the release of those records. A lower court previously ruled in favor of the media coalition, but DPS appealed.
The Haynes Boone Media Law Practice Group is nationally ranked by Chambers USA. With offices across the world, Haynes Boone offers a full range of litigation, counseling and advocacy services in all aspects of media and entertainment law nationwide. The firm also supports clients with a broad array of services in connection with media, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy and related issues.
