Former Uvalde School Police Chief and Officer Indicted Over Robb Elementary Response
Uvalde, Texas
The former Uvalde schools police chief, Pete Arredondo, and another former officer have been indicted over their role in the slow police response to the 2022 massacre at a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead, the local sheriff said Thursday.
Indictments Issued
Pete Arredondo was indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts of felony child endangerment/abandonment and briefly booked into the county jail before he was released on bond, according to jail records. Former school officer Adrian Gonzales was also indicted on multiple similar charges.
The indictments, which were kept under seal until the men were in custody, make Arredondo and Gonzales the first officers to face criminal charges in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Arredondo, who was the on-site commander during the attack, lost his job three months after the shooting.
Response to the Shooting
Over two years ago, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in a fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary School, where he remained for more than 70 minutes before officers confronted and killed him. Despite 376 law enforcement officers massing at the scene, including state police, Uvalde police, school officers, and U.S. Border Patrol agents, the response was criticized for failing to prioritize saving innocent lives over their safety.
Call for Justice
State Rep. Joe Moody, who was involved in the state lawmakers’ investigation, expressed his hopes for justice and closure for the families affected by the tragedy. The Uvalde Foundation For Kids also called for accountability, stating that the necessary change to protect students in Uvalde and beyond goes beyond legal motions or stricter gun laws.
Divided Community
Uvalde remains divided between residents who want to move past the tragedy and those seeking answers and accountability. The first mayoral race since the shooting saw a former mayor elected over a mother who had called for tougher gun laws after her daughter was killed in the attack. Robb Elementary School is now permanently closed, with a new school project initiated in October 2023.
The indictments and ongoing investigations shed light on the challenges faced by law enforcement during the tragic event, sparking conversations about accountability, response protocols, and community healing.