The police chief responsible for schools in Uvalde, Texas, allegedly failed to recognize an active shooting, deviated from his training, and made critical decisions that delayed law enforcement’s response to a gunman who was actively targeting victims. An indictment made public on Friday accuses Pete Arredondo of these actions during the tragic events at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022, where 21 people, including 19 children and two teachers, lost their lives.
Arredondo, 52, was arrested and briefly held in Uvalde County jail on Thursday night. He faces 10 state jail felony charges for endangering or abandoning a child. Adrian Gonzales, a former school officer indicted on 29 similar charges, allegedly failed to follow his training and did not confront the shooter despite hearing gunshots while stationed in a hallway.
Gonzales, 51, was also briefly detained on Friday and released on bond. These indictments mark the first criminal charges against officers for their response to one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
Reggie Daniels pays his respects (Via Rob Marsh/Getty Images)
The grand jury’s decision follows two years of demands from some victims’ families for accountability. While some relatives expressed satisfaction with the indictments against Arredondo and Gonzales, others believe more officers should face charges.
Attorney Nico LaHood, representing Gonzales, described the charges as unprecedented in Texas law enforcement. He asserted that Gonzales did not violate school district policies or state laws. Arredondo, however, could not be reached for comment, and court records did not list an attorney for him.
Previously, a sheriff’s deputy in Florida became the first U.S. law enforcement officer to stand trial for alleged inaction during an on-campus shooting, resulting in an acquittal on felony neglect charges last year. Lawsuits from victims’ families and survivors of the Parkland massacre are ongoing.
