On Monday, Uvalde Mayor Cody Smith announced his immediate resignation citing health issues as the reason for his departure. This news comes at a crucial time for the small Texas city, with Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez also expected to leave this week, two years after a deadly school shooting incident.
In his statement, Smith expressed his gratitude to the Uvalde community for their support during his recovery from unexpected health problems. However, he did not provide specific details about his condition. The decision to step down follows an independent report commissioned by the city that praised local officers for their response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in May 2022, where 21 people lost their lives.
The controversial report was conducted by private investigator Jesse Prado and cost the city $97,000. Prado presented the findings at a special city council meeting, resulting in strong reactions from the families of the victims and other members of the community. The departures of Mayor Smith and Police Chief Rodriguez mark a significant change in leadership for the city of Uvalde during a challenging period.
