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Trial Begins for Former Uvalde Officer Accused in School Shooting Response
UVALDE, TX – The highly anticipated trial of Adrian Gonzales, a former school police officer, commenced Tuesday in Texas, two years after the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers. Gonzales, one of the initial officers to respond to the May 2022 massacre, faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment, charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The trial, presided over by Judge Sid Harle, began with opening statements at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi. Prosecutor Bill Turner asserted that Gonzales failed in his duty to “distract, delay and impede” the shooter while awaiting backup. This accusation echoes widespread criticism of law enforcement’s response, as officers reportedly waited over an hour before confronting the gunman.
Defense attorney Jason Goss countered, arguing that Gonzales acted to the best of his ability given the chaotic and evolving circumstances, emphasizing the former officer’s attempt to identify the shooter and the origin of the gunfire. Goss cautioned the jury about the emotional impact of the evidence, including graphic images, stating, “You will not come out of this trial the same person in your heart. It’s traumatic.”
The court was shown videos from moments leading up to the shooting, including footage of the shooter crashing his car near a funeral home and opening fire on two employees, as well as his subsequent approach to Robb Elementary.
The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks. A jury of 12, with four alternates, was selected Monday after a significant number of potential jurors were dismissed due to pre-formed opinions on the case.
On May 24, 2022, nearly 400 officers from various agencies responded to Robb Elementary. A critical 77 minutes elapsed between the arrival of authorities and the tactical team’s entry into the classroom to neutralize the shooter, Salvador Ramos.
The aftermath of the shooting sparked intense public backlash and questions regarding the delayed response. Gonzales and former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo are the only two officers to face criminal charges in connection with the response, though Arredondo’s trial date has yet to be set.
If convicted, Gonzales could face a maximum sentence of two years in prison.