Jury selection begins Monday in Corpus Christi for Adrian Gonzales, the first officer to stand trial for the delayed police response to the 2022 Robb Elementary massacre that killed 21 people.
> At a Glance
> – Adrian Gonzales faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment
> – Prosecutors say he waited 77 minutes before confronting the shooter
> – Conviction carries up to 2 years in prison
> – Why it matters: Rare criminal case against an officer for inaction during a school shooting
The trial opens two days before the second anniversary of the attack, when 19 students and two teachers died while nearly 400 officers waited outside the Uvalde school.
The Charges
State investigators say Gonzales, a former Uvalde Independent School District officer, failed to follow active-shooter training by not engaging, distracting, or delaying the gunman. The indictment claims his inaction placed children in “imminent danger.”
- Maximum penalty: 2 years per count
- Expected duration: Up to 3 weeks
- Plea: Not guilty
Defense attorney statements claim Gonzales tried to save children and helped evacuate students once police realized others were still inside.
Political Fallout
Texas Governor Greg Abbott initially praised the police response, saying swift action “saved lives.” He later said he was “livid” about being misled after families described begging officers to enter the building and 911 calls from students pleading for help emerged.
| Response Timeline | Time Elapsed |
|---|---|
| First officers arrive | 0 minutes |
| Tactical team breaches classroom | 77 minutes |
| Total law enforcement agencies | Nearly 400 officers |
Broader Impact
A Justice Department report released Thursday catalogued cascading failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology that prolonged the crisis. Pete Arredondo, the former schools police chief, also faces charges but his trial date remains unscheduled.
Velma Lisa Duran, sister of slain teacher Irma Garcia, stated:
> “They all waited and allowed children and teachers to die.”
Jesse Rizo, uncle of 9-year-old victim Jackie Cazares, said family members plan to attend daily despite the three-hour drive:
> “It’s important that the jury see that Jackie had a big, strong family.”
Legal Precedent
Prosecutors face hurdles convicting officers for inaction. After the 2018 Parkland shooting, Scot Peterson-a sheriff’s deputy-was acquitted of similar charges in 2023, highlighting jury reluctance to criminalize law-enforcement hesitation.
Key Takeaways
- Gonzales is the first officer to stand trial for the Uvalde response
- The case tests whether police can be criminally liable for failing to intervene
- Nearly 400 officers from local, state, and federal agencies responded
- Families have also filed a new lawsuit against 98 state officers
As Uvalde continues to mourn-its elementary school closed but standing as a memorial-the trial will decide whether officers bear criminal responsibility for the 77-minute delay that day.
