At a Glance
- Former Uvalde police officer Adrian Gonzales charged with child abandonment and endangerment.
- Only 2 of the 376 officers on scene face charges.
- The police response took 77 minutes before the shooter was stopped.
- Why it matters: Families seek accountability after the 2022 school shooting that killed 19 children and 2 teachers.
Families who lost loved ones in the 2022 attack on an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, have spent nearly four years seeking accountability for police delays. Now former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales faces trial on charges of child abandonment and endangerment, a rare criminal case against an officer for inaction.
The Trial and Charges
The trial that begins Monday offers one of the last chances to hold police accountable for the hour-long delay that left 19 children and 2 teachers dead or wounded. Adrian Gonzales is accused of ignoring training and failing to engage the shooter, placing children in imminent danger. Prosecutors allege he did not advance toward the gunfire despite hearing shots and being told where the shooter was.
- Child abandonment
- Endangerment
- Failure to follow active shooter training
The Context of the Attack
Police and Gov. Greg Abbott initially claimed swift action killed the gunman, but 77 minutes passed before a tactical team breached the classroom. Reports highlight failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology. The delay allowed the shooter to kill 19 children and 2 teachers.
| Event | Time | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| First shots heard | 0 min | Police arrived |
| Tactical breach | 77 min later | Shooter killed |
The incident exposed cascading problems that questioned whether officers prioritized their own safety over those of the children and teachers.
The Broader Impact
Only 2 of the 376 officers were charged, leaving many families to question why others were not held accountable. The trial is a rare example of criminal prosecution for officer inaction. Pete Arredondo, former Uvalde schools Police Chief, is the only other officer charged, but his trial has not yet been set.
- Uvalde County DA Christina Mitchell did not respond to requests about other charges.
- Defense and prosecutors agreed to move trial to Corpus Christi, 200 miles away.
- Families continue to seek justice.
Velma Lisa Duran said:
> “Where is the justice in that?”
Community and Political Fallout
The city of Uvalde remains divided, with memorials and murals honoring victims. Some parents sought political office but with limited success. The trial being held outside Uvalde was seen as a way to avoid inflaming tensions.
- Javier Cazares ran for Uvalde County Commission in 2022.
- Kimberly Mata-Rubio ran for mayor in 2023.
- Jesse Rizo won a seat on the school board in 2024.
Jesse Rizo, whose niece was among the 19 children killed, said:
> “It really bothers us a lot that maybe she could have lived,”
Jesse Rizo said:
> “I hear, ‘They tried the best they could’ and ‘Do you blame them? Would you have taken a bullet?'”
The DOJ Report
The Justice Department released a report identifying widespread failures that prolonged the crisis.
- Training failures
- Communication breakdowns
- Leadership issues
- Technology gaps
Key Takeaways
- Adrian Gonzales faces trial for child abandonment and endangerment.
- Only 2 of the 376 officers on scene are charged.
- The response took 77 minutes before the shooter was stopped.
- Families continue to seek accountability for the 2022 shooting.
The outcome of the trial could set a precedent for how law enforcement is held to account in future mass shootings.
