That other American tradition: after a mass shooting, the media comes to town

The tragedy in Texas reminds that while media presence can be a sign of support, it can also quickly become intrusive

The day after the shooting at Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, hundreds of town residents filled the bleachers of the county Fairplex Arena for a vigil. Also there were dozens of local, national and international reporters, ready to record up close a town mourning the loss of 19 children and two teachers gunned down inside their classroom.

Reporters were asked not to approach people in the bleachers during the vigil, but some residents still struggled to grieve amid the clicks of cameras. As two crying women held each other, a cameraman stepped in front of them to capture the moment. Looking disheartened, one woman shooed him away and shook her head.