VictimsFirst Letter for Transparency and Safety in Eagle Pass, TX

November 3, 2025

To Eagle Pass ISD and the Eagle Pass Community,

We, at VictimsFirst, extend our support to the families, students, and educators affected by the recent safety incident at Armando Cerna Elementary. While we are relieved that no physical harm occurred, the emotional toll of uncertainty and delayed communication is real—and deeply felt.

In moments of potential crisis, timely and accurate communication is not a luxury—it is a necessity. 

Parents deserve to know when their children may be at risk. Law enforcement must be promptly informed. And school districts must act with clarity and urgency. The delay in notifying families and City police about the reported threat on campus undermines public trust and leaves families vulnerable to misinformation and fear.

We urge Eagle Pass ISD to publicly explain:

• What led to the communication breakdown between district officials and law enforcement?

• What corrective measures have been implemented to ensure immediate notification protocols are now in place and all safety protocols will be followed by school staff?

• How will parents be kept informed in real time during future safety-related incidents?

  
  

This is not a call for punishment—it is a call for true transparency, accountability, and is a real opportunity for improvement. Communities thrive when institutions own their mistakes and take meaningful steps to prevent recurrence. We believe Eagle Pass ISD has the opportunity to lead by example and restore confidence through honest dialogue and proactive reform.

VictimsFirst, who has been assisting families from the Robb Elementary School mass shooting since it occurred in 2022, stands ready to help families and districts working toward safer, more responsive systems. We have worked on 56 incidents of mass violence (mostly mass shootings) over the past 13 years. We know that children cannot learn in fear. We advocate for victims and survivors, but we also champion prevention—because every child deserves to feel safe, and every parent deserves to be fully informed.

Sincerely,

VictimsFirst’s Entire Board and Leadership Council

www.victimsfirst.org