Trial Begins for Former Uvalde School Officer in Robb Elementary Shooting Response

The first criminal trial of a law enforcement officer stemming from the failed police response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, began Tuesday, bringing renewed focus to one of the deadliest school shootings in US history.

Former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales is facing 29 counts of child endangerment or abandonment. Prosecutors argue Gonzales, the first officer to arrive on scene, had enough time and information to intervene, distract, or delay the shooter before he entered the classrooms where 19 children and two teachers were killed.

In opening statements, special prosecutor Bill Turner told jurors the day began as a celebration, with fourth graders preparing to receive end-of-year certificates, before chaos erupted. Turner said Gonzales was directed toward the gunman as shots were being fired and rejected claims that confusion prevented action. Jurors heard emotional 911 calls from a funeral home worker who first reported the suspect and later heard gunfire coming from inside the school.

Defense attorney Jason Goss acknowledged the tragedy but argued Gonzales did the best he could based on the information available at the time. He said Gonzales was responding to reports of a vehicle crash involving a man with a gun, not a confirmed school shooting, and placed sole responsibility for the massacre on the gunman, who was later killed by Border Patrol agents.

During the reading of the charges, Gonzales stood as the names of 29 students, including those killed and those who survived, were read aloud in court. The trial was moved from Uvalde to Corpus Christi after a defense request.

Before opening statements, defense attorneys objected to the use of autopsy photos and the characterization of the children as victims of Gonzales’ actions. The judge ruled the photos could not be shown during opening statements and said, for now, the students should be referred to as victims of the gunman.

The case is rare. It is only the second prosecution of a police officer related to a school shooting response. Legal experts say the outcome could have far-reaching implications for how law enforcement officers are expected to respond to active shooter situations.

The trial comes amid broader scrutiny of the 77-minute delay before the shooter was stopped. Gonzales’ former boss, ex-school police chief Pete Arredondo, has also been indicted and has pleaded not guilty. His trial date has not yet been set.

The proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

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