> At a Glance
> – Adrian Gonzales faces 29 counts of child abandonment for the 2022 Robb Elementary attack.
> – Jurors saw ballistics photos mapping the shooter’s path through classrooms.
> – Defense says he helped evacuate kids through windows; prosecutors say he ignored training.
> – Why it matters: The verdict could set precedent for police accountability in mass-shooting responses.
Jurors returned for day three of testimony in the criminal trial of former Uvalde school officer Adrian Gonzales, the first of nearly 400 officers on-scene to face charges for the 77-minute delay that ended with 19 students and two teachers dead.
Ballistics Evidence Unfolds
A Texas Ranger forensic investigator walked the jury through dozens of photographs showing bullet strikes in multiple classrooms, including rooms taught by witnesses who testified earlier.
Images revealed:
- Shattered glass and bullet-riddled walls
- Children’s artwork still hanging amid the damage
- Personal belongings left behind as classes were interrupted
Prosecutors used the visuals to trace the gunman’s movements and argue Gonzales failed to follow active-shooter protocol.
Defense Counter-Punch
Under cross-examination, defense counsel pressed the investigator on evidence integrity, urging him to “not get it wrong.”
They also repeated earlier claims that Gonzales helped students escape through windows while the building was locked down.
Two Officers, Two Futures
Gonzales and ex-police chief Pete Arredondo are the only officers charged; Arredondo’s trial date remains unscheduled.
The two-week trial continues next week.
Key Takeaways
- 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment are on the line.
- 70-plus minutes passed before officers breached the classroom and killed the shooter.
- A conviction could influence how future mass-response failures are prosecuted.
The jury will decide whether an officer’s inaction amid an ongoing attack amounts to criminal negligence under Texas law.
