Indictment accuses former Uvalde schools police chief of delays during May 2022 attack
The former police chief for schools in Uvalde, Texas, is facing serious allegations following the tragic events of May 24, 2022, when a devastating attack at Robb Elementary took the lives of 19 children and two teachers. Pete Arredondo, who was the on-site commander during the attack, has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of abandoning or endangering a child in connection to the incident.
Slow Police Response
An indictment unsealed on Friday revealed that Arredondo failed to identify the attack as an active shooting, disregarded his training, and made decisions that significantly slowed down the law enforcement response to the assailant. The indictment accused the former police chief of hearing gunshots and being aware of injured children and a teacher being shot but still delaying the police response.
Critical Decisions and Negotiations
According to the indictment, Arredondo called for a SWAT team, ordered initial responding officers to evacuate the building rather than confront the shooter, and even attempted to negotiate with the gunman. This delay in action allowed the shooter to continue his rampage, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Charges and Consequences
The charges against Arredondo, which are state jail felonies, could lead to a maximum of two years in jail if he is convicted. This indictment marks the first instance of officers facing criminal charges in relation to the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde.
Lingering Failures and Investigations
The indictment comes after scathing reports from state and federal investigations highlighted a series of failures in training, communication, leadership, and technology that contributed to the mishandling of the response to the attack. Several officers involved in the incident were subsequently fired, and both state lawmakers and the Department of Justice conducted separate investigations that criticized law enforcement’s actions.
Accountability and Closure
The indictment of the former Uvalde schools police chief sheds light on the accountability that is being sought in the aftermath of the devastating school shooting. As the community continues to heal from the tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 individuals, including young children and dedicated educators, the legal proceedings against Arredondo serve as a step towards closure and justice.