A former school police officer in Uvalde, Texas, who was part of the delayed law enforcement response to a devastating school shooting, had a jury selected for his trial on Monday. Adrian Gonzales, one of the officers who initially arrived at the scene of the 2022 attack, faces 29 charges related to child endangerment for allegedly not taking action to protect students during the tragic incident at Robb Elementary, where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives.
Gonzales has entered a plea of not guilty, with his defense attorney asserting that he made efforts to assist children on the day of the shooting. The jury selection process, overseen by Judge Sid Harle, involved questioning potential jurors about their knowledge of the event and their ability to remain impartial.
Notably, it took law enforcement 77 minutes to enter the school after their arrival. The prosecution highlighted the importance of considering whether the officer’s inaction had detrimental consequences. The trial is anticipated to span approximately two weeks and is set to feature testimonies from various individuals, including FBI agents, Texas Department of Public Safety rangers, school staff, and the victims’ family members.
Gonzales and another officer, Pete Arredondo, were among the first responders at the scene and are the only two facing criminal charges in connection to the handling of the shooting. The indictment alleges that Gonzales put children at imminent risk by not engaging with the shooter and failing to follow active shooter protocols. State and federal reviews have pinpointed deficiencies in law enforcement training, communication, and decision-making during the incident.
Despite objections and claims of unfair trial conditions, the proceedings have been relocated to Corpus Christi. Uvalde, the town where the tragic events occurred, still bears visible reminders of the shooting, including a memorial near the school site. Family members of the victims are determined to ensure their loved ones’ memories endure throughout the trial.