Police failed to act quickly in Uvalde. Experts say their inaction allowed for the massacre to continue and led to catastrophic consequences

The decision by police to wait before confronting the gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was a failure with catastrophic consequences,

When it was all over 19 students and two teachers were dead.

While 18-year-old Salvador Ramos was inside adjoining classrooms,

a group of 19 law enforcement officers stood outside the classroom in the school for roughly 50 minutes

as they waited for room keys and tactical equipment, CNN has reported.

children inside the classroom repeatedly called 911 and pleaded for help, Texas officials said.

Texas Department of Public Safety Col. Steven McCraw acknowledged errors in the police response to Tuesday's mass shooting.

The on-scene commander, who is also the Uvalde school district police chief,

"It was the wrong decision. Period. There's no excuse for that,"