Expert law enforcement witnesses told jurors Monday that their training requires them to move toward the sound of gunfire during an active-shooter incident, testimony that directly challenges the defense of former Uvalde school officer Adrian Gonzales.
At a Glance
- Three Texas Rangers testified officers must immediately confront an active shooter, even without backup or body armor.
- Gonzales faces multiple counts of child abandonment or endangerment for his response to the May 2022 Robb Elementary massacre.
- Prosecutors say Gonzales delayed action after a school employee told him the shooter’s location while Gonzales was still outside.
- Why it matters: The rare criminal trial of an officer for conduct during a school shooting could set precedent for how law enforcement accountability is judged nationwide.
Rangers Describe Training Protocol
The second week of testimony began with Texas Ranger Scott Swick, who helped process the crime scene at Robb Elementary, telling prosecutors he would never wait by his patrol car during an active shooter at a school.
“I would not,” Swick said. “I would make the best decision I could and go towards the shots.”
Texas Ranger Roberto Montalvo Jr. reinforced that expectation, saying any officer must advance on gunfire regardless of protective gear or backup.
“If zero protection is all you got, you go in,” Montalvo testified. “There’s some officers that possibility could respond from their house on an active shooter and they’re not carrying any level 4 or level 3 protection. Any responding officer, it’s what you have at the time.”
Prosecution Focus on Delayed Entry
Defense attorneys countered that Gonzales took decisive steps by:
- Arriving first at Robb Elementary
- Being among the first officers to enter the building
- Exchanging gunfire with the shooter in a hallway
Prosecutors, however, emphasized a moment before entry when a school employee informed Gonzales of the shooter’s exact location. They argue that knowledge created a duty to act immediately rather than wait for additional officers.
Trial Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 5, 2025 | Trial begins, scheduled for two weeks |
| Jan. 13, 2025 | Second week starts with Ranger testimony |
| Jan. 14, 2025 | Testimony resumes |
The proceeding marks one of the few instances nationwide where an officer faces criminal charges for actions taken-or not taken-during a school shooting. Jurors must decide whether Gonzales’ pause outside the building constitutes criminal negligence under Texas child-endangerment statutes.
News Of Fort Worth will continue covering testimony as the trial moves toward closing arguments expected later this week.
