Uvalde School Officer to Appear in Court Over Involvement in Robb Elementary Shooting
In Uvalde, Texas, a former school police officer, Adrian Gonzales, is set to appear in court for his role during the 2022 Robb Elementary School mass shooting. Gonzales, amongst around 400 law enforcement personnel, waited over 70 minutes before confronting the shooter, leading to charges of abandoning children and failing to protect those who were killed or wounded.
First Court Appearance
Current expectations have Gonzales arraigned in the small Texas town for the first time on Thursday in a trial that has been two years in the making. Following a massacre where 19 children and two teachers lost their lives in a fourth-grade classroom, families have been consistently pressuring legal authorities for charges to be brought against officers on the scene.
Former Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo and Gonzales were indicted by a Uvalde grand jury in June. Whereas Arredondo waived his arraignment and entered a not guilty plea on July 10, Gonzales is only now making his first court appearance. Both officers were released on bond subsequent to their indictments.
Charges Against Gonzales and Arredondo
Despite the charges, lawyer to Gonzales, Nico LaHood, argued the charges are “unprecedented in the state of Texas.” Insisting that his client had not violated any state law or school district policy, he is expected to construct a strong defense in court.
On the other hand, Arredondo, the on-site commander during the tragic event, faces 10 state jail felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child. The charges claim that Arredondo failed to identify an active shooting situation, ignored his training, and ultimately slowed down the police response to a gunman “hunting” victims.
Implications of the Trial
This case carries heavy implications, being one of the very few instances where a U.S. law enforcement officer faces charges for allegedly failing to act during a school shooting. The charges echo the case of the sheriff’s deputy who was tried for hesitating to confront the 2018 Parkland massacre’s shooter but faced acquittal for felony neglect last year.
The charges hanging over Gonzales and Arredondo carry a sentence of up to two years in jail if convicted. Meanwhile, the victims’ families and survivors have pending lawsuits, and several are calling for more officers to be charged. Additional lawsuits have been filed against law enforcement, social media and online gaming companies, and even the gun manufacturer that produced the rifle used by the gunman.
As the trial progresses, things are likely to change. Be sure to stay updated for further developments.
