Former officer acquitted at trial over police response to Uvalde, Texas, school shooting

Published: Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 2:10 am

Former Officer Acquitted in Uvalde School Shooting Case

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A former police officer has been acquitted of charges related to his actions during the initial response to the tragic Uvalde, Texas, school shooting. Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde schools police officer, was found not guilty after a trial that centered on his alleged failure to confront the gunman at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. The attack resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers.

The jury deliberated for over seven hours before delivering the verdict. Gonzales had faced 29 counts of child abandonment and endangerment, each count representing the victims of the shooting. If convicted, he could have faced up to two years in prison.

The trial, which lasted nearly three weeks, included emotional testimony from survivors and family members of the victims. Prosecutors argued that Gonzales abandoned his training and failed to intervene before the gunman entered the school. Defense attorneys countered that Gonzales arrived at a chaotic scene and never saw the gunman before the attacker entered the school. They also highlighted his efforts to evacuate children from other classrooms and his participation in an attempt to reach the classroom where the shooting was taking place.

The case is a rare instance of an officer facing criminal charges for failing to act during a crime. The trial focused on Gonzales's actions in the early moments of the attack, but prosecutors also presented graphic testimony about the events that unfolded.

State and federal reviews of the shooting have cited significant issues in law enforcement training, communication, leadership, and technology. Gonzales and former Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo are the only two responding officers to face charges. Arredondo's trial has not yet been scheduled.

BNN's Perspective:

The acquittal of Officer Gonzales underscores the complex legal and emotional challenges surrounding accountability in mass shooting events. While the verdict may bring some closure to the legal proceedings, it is unlikely to fully satisfy the families of the victims, who are still grappling with the profound loss and seeking answers. The case highlights the need for continued scrutiny of law enforcement protocols and training in active shooter situations, as well as a broader discussion about the role of officers in protecting citizens during such crises.

Keywords: Uvalde, school shooting, Adrian Gonzales, acquittal, police officer, Robb Elementary School, trial, child abandonment, endangerment, law enforcement, gunman, verdict, victims, Texas, shooting, school massacre, Parkland, Florida

Full Story