Austin, Texas – The former police chief for schools in Uvalde, Texas, faces serious charges after an indictment revealed that he failed to properly respond to an active shooter situation at Robb Elementary, resulting in the tragic deaths of 21 individuals. This indictment, unsealed on Friday, sheds light on the critical errors made by Pete Arredondo, who was arrested on 10 state jail felony counts.
Former school Officer Adrian Gonzales also faces charges related to the incident, highlighting the systemic failures in the law enforcement response to the school shooting. These indictments mark a significant moment as Arredondo and Gonzales become the first officers to be criminally charged for their handling of one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.
Victims’ families and others have been calling for such action for two years following the devastating attack. Jesse Rizo, a relative of one of the deceased students, expressed relief that steps are finally being taken towards accountability. However, he noted that the indictment of only two officers is difficult for him to accept, expressing a desire to see more individuals held responsible for the mishandling of the situation.
The indictment against Arredondo highlights his alleged failure to identify the incident as an active shooter situation, resulting in a delayed law enforcement response. More than 370 officers converged on the scene that day, yet it took over 70 minutes before the shooter was confronted. This delay left terrified students and teachers vulnerable, with some victims having to beg for help over the phone as the tragedy unfolded.
In the aftermath of the shooting, investigations revealed numerous failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology within the law enforcement response. Arredondo lost his job, and several other officers were fired as a result. The push for accountability continues, with Texas state Sen. Roland Gutierrez emphasizing the need to hold every officer who stood down that day accountable for their actions.
The legal proceedings against Arredondo and Gonzales will shed further light on the failures that contributed to the tragic outcome at Robb Elementary. As the community seeks justice and closure, the indictments serve as a crucial step towards addressing the mistakes made during the school shooting.