A teaching aide testified in court that she saw a former Uvalde school police officer fail to act during the 2022 Robb Elementary massacre, describing how he “just stayed there” as the gunman entered the building.
The trial of former Uvalde school district police officer Adrian Gonzales continued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with emotional testimony from Melodye Flores, a teaching aide who helped children with special needs. Flores described hearing about the shooter on her school radio and running outside, where she saw the gunman, Salvador Ramos, approaching the fourth-grade building.
In her testimony, Flores said she fell while running and was approached by Officer Gonzales in a police vehicle. She repeatedly urged him to intervene, pointing out the shooter’s location and pleading for him to stop the gunman before he entered the building. According to Flores, Gonzales did not respond and remained stationary, pacing back and forth as shots were fired.
The prosecution alleges that Gonzales, charged with 29 counts of child endangerment, had the opportunity and information to act but failed to do so, contributing to the delay that allowed the massacre to unfold over 77 minutes. Defense attorneys, however, argue that Gonzales did everything he could under the circumstances and is being scapegoated for broader systemic failures.
Cross-examination by defense lawyer Nico LaHood challenged the reliability of Flores’ testimony, highlighting inconsistencies in her descriptions of Gonzales’ appearance and vehicle. LaHood suggested that the trauma of the event might have affected her memory, but Flores maintained her account of the officer’s inaction.
Other witnesses testified to the ongoing horror faced by survivors. Parents of injured children described physical and emotional scars, such as bullet fragments causing pain and triggers like loud noises or the color red. A counselor explained how survivors relive the trauma, and a doctor recounted treating the young victims with severe gunshot wounds.
The trial has seen dramatic moments, including previous testimonies from teachers who survived the shooting and emotional outbursts from family members. Gonzales, who appeared stoic throughout, was seen tearing up during descriptions of the children’s injuries.
The Uvalde massacre, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, has spurred national debates on school safety and police response protocols. This trial is a key part of the legal aftermath, seeking accountability for the failures that day. As the trial proceeds, jurors will weigh the evidence against Gonzales, with the defense continuing to argue that he acted within his capabilities. The outcome could have implications for how law enforcement responses are evaluated in future crises.
