A Texas jury has acquitted former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales on all child endangerment charges related to his response to the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting, marking a pivotal legal moment in the ongoing reckoning over one of America’s deadliest school shootings. The verdict, reached after about seven hours of deliberations on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, clears Gonzales of 29 counts alleging he abandoned and endangered students during the slow law enforcement response that has drawn widespread criticism.
The trial, which lasted three weeks, centered on whether Gonzales failed to act when he arrived at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, as one of the first officers on the scene. Prosecutors argued that Gonzales, 52, did not immediately confront the gunman despite learning his location from a teaching aide, potentially endangering the 19 students who died and 10 survivors. Special prosecutor Bill Turner emphasized in closing arguments that officers must intervene in critical moments, stating, “You can’t stand by and allow it to happen.” However, the defense, led by attorneys Jason Goss and Nico LaHood, contended that Gonzales was unfairly scapegoated for broader systemic failures and acted on the information available at the time.
During the shooting, an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and two teachers, with nearly 400 officers responding but taking 77 minutes to confront and kill the shooter. A 2024 U.S. Justice Department report highlighted a “lack of urgency” and “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training” in the response. This context loomed large over the trial, with prosecutors seeking to hold Gonzales accountable under Texas laws mandating police duties in school districts, while the defense pointed to chaotic communications and the actions of other officers who also hesitated.
After the verdict was read, Gonzales bowed his head and later expressed gratitude outside the courtroom, telling reporters, “I want to start by thanking God for this — my family, my wife and these guys — he put them in my path.” He added that moving forward involves “picking up the pieces and moving forward,” a sentiment echoed by his lawyers who said the jury’s decision clears his name. Defense attorney Goss asserted that evidence showed Gonzales “put himself in great danger” and acted dutifully, countering national perceptions of his inaction.
Families of the victims reacted with disappointment and anger to the acquittal. Jacinto Cazares, father of 9-year-old Jackie Cazares who died in the shooting, said outside the court, “We had a little hope, but it wasn’t enough. Again, we are failed.” Jesse Rizo, Jackie’s uncle, expressed concern about the message sent to law enforcement, questioning whether officers can “stand by, stand down, stand idle” in future crises without consequence. These reactions underscore the deep emotional wounds and ongoing quest for justice among Uvalde families, who previously reached a $2 million settlement with the city over the botched response.
The case is only the second in U.S. history where a law enforcement officer faced criminal charges for response to a mass shooting, following the 2023 acquittal of former Broward County deputy Scot Peterson in the Parkland, Florida, shooting. Legal experts note the high burden of proof in such cases, as prosecutors must demonstrate specific failures amid complex emergency scenarios. The verdict may influence future accountability efforts, including the pending trial of former Uvalde Schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who is also charged with child endangerment and has pleaded not guilty.
Looking ahead, the acquittal leaves unanswered questions about police reform and preparedness for mass shootings. While Gonzales’s legal battle ends, broader investigations and civil lawsuits continue to scrutinize the Uvalde response, with advocates calling for improved training and protocols to prevent similar tragedies. The outcome highlights the challenges in prosecuting individual officers during collective failures, setting a precedent that could shape law enforcement accountability nationwide as communities grapple with gun violence and public safety.
