In brief
The trial of Adrian Gonzales, a former police officer charged with child abandonment in connection with the Uvalde school shooting, resumes this week. Prosecutors contend that Gonzales did not take adequate action to confront the shooter despite having received active shooter training. The outcome of this trial, alongside testimonies from victims' families and teachers, highlights significant concerns regarding police response during emergencies. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial of a Texas police officer charged in the halting law enforcement response to the attack on Robb Elementary heads into a second week Monday with prosecutors continuing to press their case that he did nothing in the early moments to stop the gunman.
Adrian Gonzales, 52, a former Uvalde schools police officer, was among the first officers to arrive on the scene as the gunman approached the school. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty to 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment.
The May 24, 2022, attack is one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. It left 19 students and two teachers dead.
The opening days of the trial included dramatic replays of the initial emergency calls, testimony from teachers who huddled with terrified students, and the mother of one of the victims recounting how her daughter had asked to leave school early that day.
Prosecutors noted how students made 911 calls from inside the classroom with the gunman.
“When a child calls 911, we have a right to expect a response,” special prosecutor Bill Turner said in opening statements.
Gonzales’ attorneys said he never saw the gunman outside the school. They also said Gonzales helped students evacuate from other classrooms and noted how the gunman was able to quickly get inside through an unlocked door.
Several Robb teachers recounted the terror of the day: locking classroom doors, turning off lights, and keeping students quiet. The trial will continue focusing on Gonzales' actions and the tragedy that unfolded at the school.
The prosecution argues Gonzales abandoned his active shooter training, which could lead to significant implications for law enforcement responsibilities nationwide.
