A former school police officer in Uvalde, Texas, who was involved in the delayed law enforcement response to a major school shooting is currently on trial for allegedly failing to protect children from the gunman. Adrian Gonzales, charged with 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment, was among the initial responders to the 2022 attack at Robb Elementary where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives.
Gonzales, who pleaded not guilty, is accused of not taking adequate action to save lives during the tragic incident. The jury selection process began on Monday, overseen by Judge Sid Harle, with 12 jurors and four alternates chosen to hear the case. Prospective jurors were questioned about their knowledge of the event and their unbiased views on the matter.
The trial, expected to run for about two weeks, will feature witnesses such as FBI agents, Texas Department of Public Safety rangers, school staff, and victims’ family members. The prosecution argues that Gonzales’ alleged inaction put children in immediate danger by not following proper protocols during an active shooter situation.
Gonzales and former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo were the first officers at the scene, with Gonzales being the only one facing criminal charges for his actions. It took 77 minutes for law enforcement to enter the school and neutralize the shooter, Salvador Ramos, who had a history of violent tendencies leading up to the attack.
The indictment claims that Gonzales failed to engage with the shooter, despite being aware of the situation, thus endangering the lives of the children present. The trial venue was moved to Corpus Christi to ensure a fair trial for Gonzales. Uvalde, where the tragedy occurred, still bears reminders of the incident, with memorials and murals honoring the victims.