Austin, Texas – Former Uvalde school police Chief Pete Arredondo and former officer Adrian Gonzales have been indicted for their actions during the response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in 2022, according to reports.
The indictment filed by a grand jury includes multiple counts of felony child endangerment and abandonment against Arredondo and Gonzales. Arredondo is expected to surrender on Thursday, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.
District Attorney Christina Mitchell has confirmed the indictment, although the indictments themselves have not yet been made available by the Uvalde County District Court clerk’s office.
In addition to Arredondo and Gonzales, two more former officers have been implicated in the indictment, although their identities have not been disclosed.
The U.S. Justice Department released a report earlier this year criticizing the law enforcement response to the shooting, highlighting a 77-minute delay from the time the shooter entered the school until he was apprehended.
The shooting on May 24, 2022, resulted in the tragic deaths of 19 students and two teachers. Surveillance footage revealed that law enforcement officers were present at the school but did not engage with the shooter for over an hour.
It is important to note the significant impact this tragedy has had on the Uvalde community, as they continue to seek justice for the victims and their families. The indictment of these former officers sheds light on potential failures in the response to such a devastating incident, prompting a reevaluation of law enforcement protocols.