Nearly four years after the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School, jury selection is underway in the criminal trial of former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales, marking a rare attempt to hold a law enforcement officer criminally responsible for a mass shooting response.
Charges tied to delayed police action
Gonzales faces 29 felony counts of child endangerment and abandonment, one for each of the 19 students killed and 10 children who survived in classroom 112. Prosecutors allege he failed to confront the gunman despite hearing shots, knowing the shooter’s location and being trained to respond to active shooter situations. Authorities waited 77 minutes before officers fatally shot the gunman.
A rare prosecution of police
The trial is being held in Corpus Christi, about 200 miles from Uvalde. Legal experts say cases like this are uncommon, as prosecutors seldom charge officers over their actions during mass shootings. Gonzales and former Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo were both charged in June 2024, though Gonzales is being tried first and alone. Arredondo’s case remains on hold due to a related federal lawsuit.
What prosecutors must prove
To secure a conviction, prosecutors must show Gonzales had a legal duty to act — not just a moral one — and that he failed to follow his training. Each charge carries a possible sentence of up to two years in prison, though Texas judges and juries have wide discretion in sentencing.
Defense disputes allegations
Gonzales has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys argue he is being unfairly blamed for systemic failures and maintain he acted to protect students under dangerous conditions. The defense is expected to rely on evidence such as drone footage to challenge the prosecution’s timeline and claims.
Broader implications
If Gonzales is convicted, it would be the first known case in which a police officer is held criminally accountable for how they responded to a mass shooting. For families affected by the May 24, 2022, tragedy that killed 19 children and two teachers, the trial represents a long-awaited step toward accountability.
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