Amid bureaucratic delays, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is pushing the Department of Justice to swiftly decide on former Santa Fe ISD police officer John Barnes’ eligibility for federal benefits. Barnes, hailed as a hero for confronting a gunman during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, suffered a critical shotgun wound that permanently altered his life and career. According to reports from KPRC 2’s, Barnes continues to await a decision on his application for the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program.
“You’re making financial decisions and putting things off because you’re waiting for them to give you an answer on this benefit,” Barnes told KPRC 2 in May. To address such delays, Cruz, along with U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, has introduced legislation proposing a 270-day deadline for resolving claims under the PSOB program. With over 1,200 claims processed annually, the program underscores its critical importance and the need for expedited processing.
In another story of resilience, Rome Shubert concluded his college baseball career despite enduring a gunshot wound to the head during the Santa Fe shooting six years ago. Completing his tenure at Sam Houston with remarkable perseverance, Shubert reflected on his journey in an interview highlighted by the Houston Chronicle.
“One of the biggest things is not letting that (shooter) win. You don’t need to get revenge on him or tell him he needs to go to hell or needs to die or anything like that — he did what he did. … If you’re giving him attention, that’s exactly what they want,” Shubert stated.
Reflecting on Shubert’s journey, teammate Marshall Wales praised his toughness and camaraderie. “Rome embodies toughness. You can see it in his upbringing and the way he’s handled what happened. He loves his teammates and holds you accountable — he’s just the epitome of a great teammate,” Wales affirmed in an interview with the Houston Chronicle, as cited by Hoodline.