The Evalde School Police Chief has been silent for days that is until CNN caught up with

him.

The lead starts right now.

In a CNN exclusive, a police chief confronted his response when asked about not cooperating

with investigators and that wrong decision to hold officers in a hallway instead of immediately

sending them in to take out the gunmen who ultimately killed 21 people, including 19

kids.

Plus, buckle up, gas prices hitting a hideous high, but it's the prediction for the next

10 days that may be even scarier and a jury finds both Johnny Depp and Amberherd liable

for defamation, though let's be honest, Depp won this trial.

The significance of it all, beyond the gas, spectacle, and social media snark.

Welcome to the lead.

I'm Jake Tapp.

We start today with our national lead and no clear answer in Evalde, Texas as to whether

the chief who told cops to not storm the classroom where the shooter was during the

massacre is actually cooperating with investigators.

CNN's Shimon Prokip has caught up with Evalde School District Police Chief Pete Aradondo this

morning.

He insisted he's been in contact with the Texas Department of Public Safety every day he

says.

But this last night, DPS official said Aradondo had not responded to the request for a follow-up

interview about his actions or lack thereof during last Tuesday's massacre.

...