> At a Glance
> – Prosecutors say Adrian Gonzales arrived before the gunman entered Robb Elementary but did not intervene
> – 19 students and 2 teachers died while officers waited 77 minutes before breaching the classroom
> – Gonzales faces up to 2 years if convicted of child abandonment or endangerment
> – Why it matters: Only two officers face charges despite nearly 400 officers on scene, spotlighting accountability gaps
The first criminal trial stemming from the 2022 Uvalde school massacre began with grieving families listening to 911 calls while prosecutors accused former school officer Adrian Gonzales of failing to act.
What Prosecutors Told Jurors
Special prosecutor Bill Turner told the jury Gonzales reached the campus just before the teenage shooter walked in. A teacher allegedly pointed to where shots were fired in the parking lot, yet Gonzales did not move to stop the gunman.
He entered the building only after the damage had been done, according to opening statements.
- Gonzales is a 10-year veteran with extensive active-shooter training
- Inside, children grabbed scissors to confront the gunman while waiting for help
- 77 minutes passed from police arrival to the tactical team killing the shooter
Defense Counter-Argument
Defense attorney Nico LaHood insisted Gonzales did not freeze:
> Nico LaHood stated:
> > “The government wants it to seem like he just sat there. He did what he could, with what he knew at the time.”
Fellow counsel Jason Goss added Gonzales radioed for backup and helped evacuate students once additional units arrived.
Limited Charges
Gonzales and ex-chief Pete Arredondo are the only officers charged despite nearly 400 federal, state and local responders converging on the campus. Reviews cite cascading failures in training, communication and leadership.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Officers on scene | ~400 |
| Minutes until breach | 77 |
| Fatalities | 21 |
| Max sentence | 2 years |
Velma Lisa Duran, sister of slain teacher Irma Garcia, expressed frustration:
> Velma Lisa Duran said:
> > “He could have stopped him, but he didn’t want to be the target.”
Key Takeaways
- Prosecutors aim to prove Gonzales had an early chance to intervene but failed
- Defense blames broader security and policy failures
- A conviction would be rare; a Florida deputy was acquitted in the Parkland case
- Families question why more officers have not been charged
Witness testimony resumes Thursday morning.
