Texas Ranger Terry Snyder's Testimony on Uvalde Robb Elementary Crime Scene Investigation

Ranger Snyder's Career and Training

• 👮 Texas Ranger Terry Snyder began his law enforcement career in 1994, serving as a patrol officer before moving to the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1998.
• 📚 His career progression included roles as a highway patrolman and an investigator in motor vehicle theft before becoming a Texas Ranger in 2011.
• 🎓 As a Ranger, Snyder received specialized three-week crime scene investigation training, a standard for all Rangers.

Initial Response and Duties on May 24, 2022

• 🚨 On May 24, 2022, Ranger Snyder was assigned to Wilson County but was activated to respond to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde.
• 📍 He arrived at approximately 5:30 PM and was briefed on the situation, with his initial duty being to assist in identifying and removing bodies from classrooms 111 and 112.
• 📝 This identification process, crucial for notifying parents, involved using clothing and classroom rosters and extended through the evening and into the night.

Crime Scene Processing on May 25, 2022

• 🚶 On May 25th, Snyder and another Ranger were assigned to identify and mark cartridge casings found in the hallways of Robb Elementary.
• 🔵 They used blue tent markers with numeric identifiers for evidence in the hallway.
• 📸 All evidence, including the casings, was photographed before collection, with detailed close-up shots to document their condition and location.

Evidence Found and Analysis

• 🔫 Among the items marked were two magazines of .308 caliber ammunition, consistent with law enforcement use, and numerous fired cartridge cases.
• ⚠️ Some casings showed indentations suggesting they may have been stepped on or damaged after being fired, potentially due to the chaotic scene and medical interventions.
• 💡 The presence of both handgun and rifle casings was noted, with some handgun casings identified as unfired.
• 🔍 Snyder testified that while groupings of casings could suggest areas where shots were fired, the chaotic nature of the scene meant casings could have been moved or kicked.

Tactical Considerations and Officer Training

• 🎯 Snyder emphasized that law enforcement officers are trained to identify their target before engaging and cannot fire blindly towards sounds.
• 🏃 In active shooter situations, officers are trained to tactically approach the source of the shooting, utilizing cover and concealment.
• 🧱 The school's brick walls were identified as protective cover, and doorways were discussed as potential