> At a Glance
> – Opening statements begin Tuesday for Adrian Gonzales, ex-Uvalde school officer
> – He faces 29 counts of child abandonment after 77-minute delay in confronting shooter
> – Families of the 19 students and 2 teachers killed may testify
> – Why it matters: First criminal trial over law-enaction failures in America’s deadliest school shooting
A former Uvalde school police officer stands trial this week for allegedly failing to confront the teenage gunman who killed 21 people at Robb Elementary in 2022. The case marks a rare prosecution of an officer accused of inaction during a mass shooting.
The Charges
Adrian Gonzales, who was among the first officers on scene, pleaded not guilty to 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment. Each count carries up to two years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors say Gonzales:
- Heard gunfire but did not advance toward the shooter
- Failed to engage, distract, or delay the attacker
- Ignored his training and put children in “imminent danger”
His attorney maintains Gonzales tried to save children that day. The trial, moved to Corpus Christi over fairness concerns, is expected to last two weeks.
Systemic Failures
Nearly 400 officers from federal, state, and local agencies converged on the school. Despite 911 calls from terrified students and pleas from parents outside, officers waited more than an hour before a tactical team entered and killed the shooter.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First officers arrive | Minutes after first shots |
| Tactical team breaches | 77 minutes later |
| Total fatalities | 21 |
State and federal reviews cited cascading problems in training, communication, leadership, and technology. Only two officers-Gonzales and former schools police chief Pete Arredondo-face criminal charges. Arredondo’s trial date remains unscheduled.
Key Takeaways
- Gonzales is the first U.S. officer to stand trial for inaction during an on-campus shooting since Parkland deputy Scot Peterson was acquitted in 2023
- Prosecutors must overcome jury reluctance to convict law enforcement for failing to act
- Victims’ families wanted broader accountability across the 400-officer response
- The case tests whether officers can be held criminally liable for delayed intervention
The outcome could reshape expectations for how law enforcement responds to active-shooter situations nationwide.
