At a Glance
- One of the first officers on scene, Adrian Gonzales, now faces trial for child abandonment and endangerment.
- Only 2 of 376 officers were charged after the 2022 school shooting.
- Families seek justice after a 77-minute delay that left 19 children and 2 teachers dead.
- Why it matters: Families hope a jury will hold police accountable for the long delay that cost lives.
The families of Uvalde’s 2022 school shooting victims are now turning to the courts, as former police officer Adrian Gonzales faces trial for failing to act during the 77-minute delay that let 19 children and 2 teachers die. The case could be a rare moment when a law-enforcement officer is criminally charged for inaction.
Trial Details
Adrian Gonzales is charged with child abandonment and endangerment for ignoring active-shooter training and failing to engage the shooter.
The indictment alleges he did not advance toward the gunfire despite hearing shots and being told where the shooter was.
The only other officer charged is former Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo, whose trial has not yet been set.
The trial, set to start Monday, was moved 200 miles to Corpus Christi to secure an impartial jury.
- Charge: child abandonment and endangerment
- Indictment: failure to engage shooter, failure to follow training
- Timeline: 77 minutes from arrival to breach
Families’ Pursuit of Justice
Families have filed federal and state lawsuits, reached a $2 million settlement with the city, and lobbied for gun-control laws that never passed.
Jesse Rizo, whose niece was one of the 19 children killed, said:
Jesse Rizo
> “It really bothers us a lot that maybe she could have lived,” he said.
Velma Lisa Duran, whose sister was a teacher killed, asked the court:
Velma Lisa Duran
> “What about the other 374? They all waited and allowed children and teachers to die.”
Velma Lisa Duran
> “Where is the justice in that? Did she not exist?”
Her attorney, Nico LaHood, a former district attorney, defended Gonzales by stating:
Nico LaHood
> “He was focused on getting children out of that building.”
Community Impact
Uvalde, a city of about 15,000, still bears the scars of the attack. The Robb Elementary building stands empty, and memorials of 21 white crosses sit in front of the school sign. The town remains divided, with some residents saying the city moved on too quickly.
Legal Landscape
Prosecutors face a high bar to win a conviction, as juries have historically been reluctant to convict officers for inaction, exemplified by the Parkland case. The trial of Adrian Gonzales could set a precedent for holding law-enforcement accountable for failure to act during a shooting.
Key Takeaways
- Only Adrian Gonzales and Pete Arredondo have been charged out of 376 officers.
- The trial could be the first criminal case for an officer’s inaction during a school shooting.
- Families seek justice through lawsuits, settlements, and political pressure.
The outcome of the trial may be the only chance for families to see accountability for the 77-minute delay that claimed 19 young lives and two teachers.
