A former Uvalde school police officer now faces criminal charges for his actions—or lack thereof—during one of America’s deadliest school shootings. Adrian Gonzales, 52, stands trial on 29 counts of child endangerment as prosecutors argue he failed to protect students during the May 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
The trial, now in its second week, has been marked by emotional testimony and courtroom drama. On Tuesday, a woman—identified as a victim’s sister—was escorted from the courtroom after shouting “My sister went into the fatal funnel” following testimony from a Zavala County Sheriff’s deputy.
Failed Response Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the case is what prosecutors describe as a catastrophic failure by Gonzales and nearly 400 other officers who responded to the scene. Despite overwhelming police presence, more than 70 minutes elapsed before a tactical team finally entered the classroom and killed the shooter.
In video testimony shown to jurors, Gonzales recounted the chaotic moments when the attack began: “When I look, I start hearing rounds going off. I don’t know where they’re coming from, but I know they’re muffled, they’re behind the building.”
The prosecution’s case hit a significant setback when Judge Sid Harle instructed jurors to disregard testimony from former teacher Stephanie Hale after discrepancies emerged in her account. It’s a blow that could complicate efforts to secure a conviction in this closely watched case.
Survivors Recount Horror
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching testimony came from Arnulfo Reyes, a former Robb Elementary teacher who was shot multiple times and lost 11 students in his classroom. “Okay, so he hit me on my arm, and that’s when I fell to the ground,” Reyes testified. “And then, after I fell on to the ground, He came around, and he shot the kids.”
How could nearly 400 officers fail to stop one gunman for over an hour? That question haunts the families of victims and now drives this criminal case.
Gonzales was indicted in 2024, making him the second officer to face criminal charges in connection with the response. Former Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo was also indicted that same year.
The charges against Gonzales are specifically tied to endangerment of the 19 children who were killed and 10 who were injured, as detailed in court documents.
For the Uvalde community, still reeling from unimaginable loss, this trial represents more than just legal proceedings—it’s a painful search for accountability in a tragedy that many believe could have been prevented if officers had acted with greater urgency.
