9 Powerful Moments as Jury Clears Uvalde Officer

A Texas jury acquits former Uvalde officer Adrian Gonzales on 29 charges tied to the Robb Elementary shooting, raising questions about police duty and accountability.

Jan 22, 2026 - 10:21
9 Powerful Moments as Jury Clears Uvalde Officer
9 Powerful Moments as Jury Clears Uvalde Officer

A Texas jury has acquitted a former school district police officer of all criminal charges connected to the deadly Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, marking a rare and closely watched legal outcome.

SEGMENT 1: THE VERDICT
Adrian Gonzales, a former officer with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Department, was found not guilty on all 29 counts of child endangerment or abandonment. The verdict was delivered Wednesday after days of testimony and emotional arguments.

This case was the first criminal prosecution stemming from the May 2022 mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers.

SEGMENT 2: WHO GONZALES IS
Gonzales was the first law enforcement officer to arrive on campus while the 18-year-old gunman was still outside the school. Prosecutors argued that Gonzales failed to act on his active shooter training and did not intervene despite having time and information to do so.

Gonzales pleaded not guilty and did not testify in his own defense.

SEGMENT 3: THE PROSECUTION’S CASE
Special prosecutor Bill Turner told jurors that Gonzales had a legal duty to act and failed that responsibility.

“If you have a duty to act, you can’t stand by while a child is in imminent danger,” Turner argued, saying the verdict would send a message about expectations for officers tasked with protecting children.

Prosecutors called 35 witnesses, including teachers, parents, law enforcement officers, and medical experts.

SEGMENT 4: THE DEFENSE RESPONSE
Defense attorneys countered that criminalizing split-second decisions would discourage officers from responding to emergencies.

“What you’re telling police officers is don’t react, don’t respond,” attorney Jason Goss said, warning of broader consequences for law enforcement nationwide.

The defense argued Gonzales did act by racing to the scene, entering the school hallway, and coming under fire.

SEGMENT 5: KEY EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY
Teacher’s aide Melodye Flores testified she repeatedly told Gonzales where the shooter was headed. However, defense attorneys challenged inconsistencies in her account.

Jurors also heard Gonzales’ recorded interview with investigators, where he admitted to “tunnel vision” and said waiting for backup was a mistake in hindsight.

Expert witness Willie Cantu testified about “inattentive blindness,” explaining how stress can impair perception during active shooter events.

SEGMENT 6: EMOTIONS IN THE COURTROOM
The verdict prompted tears from Gonzales and his family, while families of the victims expressed anger and grief.

Jesse Rizo, the uncle of a 9-year-old victim, said the verdict sends a troubling message about accountability.

“What message does it send?” Rizo asked. “Wait for everybody to be killed?”

During testimony, the courtroom was briefly disrupted when a victim’s family member shouted emotional objections, later admonished by the judge.

SEGMENT 7: WHAT COMES NEXT
In 2024, Gonzales and former school police chief Pete Arredondo were indicted. Arredondo has pleaded not guilty, and his case remains pending.

Defense attorneys acknowledged failures in the police response but argued criminal court was not the appropriate forum.


The verdict underscores the legal and moral complexity surrounding police response to mass shootings. While the jury found Gonzales not guilty, the pain of Uvalde remains unresolved.


The debate over accountability, training, and responsibility in school shootings is far from over. We’ll continue to follow developments closely.

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