Trial of Texas Officer Under Scrutiny for Inaction During School Shooting

Mon Jan 12 2026 19:16:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The trial of Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde schools police officer, highlights the repercussions of a delayed law enforcement response during the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting. The prosecution presents evidence that Gonzales failed to act as students defended themselves during the attack.

Adrian Gonzales, 52, stands trial for 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment connected to the response during the Robb Elementary School shooting. Prosecutors argue he did not engage the gunman promptly, despite being one of the first on the scene. The trial's opening days revealed emotional testimonies and shocking evidence from that fateful day, invoking serious questions about accountability within police forces during crisis situations.

The trial of a Texas police officer charged in the lack of immediate law enforcement response to the attack on Robb Elementary commences its second week Monday with a continued focus on the actions of Adrian Gonzales. The former Uvalde schools police officer, aged 52, faces 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment, as he was one of the first officers on the scene, where the gunman approached the school.

The tragic events of May 24, 2022, resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers, marking one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. As the trial unfolded, harrowing details of the emergency calls, teachers’ experiences, and accounts from the mothers of victims painted a stark picture of fear and confusion during those critical moments.

Gonzales has pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution argues that he abandoned his active shooter training by failing to engage or distract the shooter outside the school and even retreating with a group of officers from gunfire soon after entering.

Scrutiny of Individual Accountability

The trial strictly examines Gonzales's individual actions rather than the broader police response, which saw over 370 federal and state officers arrive at the scene within minutes. It took over an hour for a tactical unit to neutralize the gunman, highlighting possible failures in the active response protocols.

Throughout the proceedings, jurors heard emotional testimonies from teachers who sought to protect their students amidst the chaos. One teacher, who suffered injuries from gunfire, recounted her attempts to reassure her students as they awaited help, expressing her love to them as a final statement of comfort.

On the other hand, Gonzales's defense claimed he did not see the gunman and assisted in evacuating students from other classrooms while attributing part of the chaos to an unlocked door that allowed the gunman rapid access to the building.

Family Testimonies and Emotional Impact

As the trial nears its climax, families of victims are recalling the day their lives were shattered. Jennifer Garcia, the mother of one victim, shared a heartbreaking moment of her daughter wanting to come home early from school that day, a choice that tragically could not prevent her death.

With witnesses detailing the gunfire, the chaos of the moment, and the response (or lack thereof) from law enforcement, the trial aims to draw lines of accountability in situations where law enforcement is expected to protect and serve the community's youngest and most vulnerable.

Historic Legal Precedents

This case against Gonzales is one of the rare instances where a police officer is charged for failing to act in the face of danger. A historical precedent exists in a previous Florida case where a sheriff's deputy was acquitted for similar allegations during the 2018 Parkland school shooting.

The outcome of this trial could hold significant implications for police accountability and standards of response in the United States, as communities continue to grapple with the fallout from gun violence in schools.