Uvalde, Texas – The former police chief of the school police force in Uvalde, Texas, faces 10 felony counts in connection with the botched response to a 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School. This tragic incident led to the deaths of 19 students and two teachers. Pedro “Pete” Arredondo was indicted and booked into the Uvalde County jail, with his bond set at $100,000. Another former officer, Adrian Gonzales, also faces charges related to the incident.

The response to the shooting raised concerns as law enforcement officers delayed entering the classroom where the gunman was located, leading to a lengthy wait before confronting the perpetrator. Initial praise for the response turned to criticism as it was revealed that officers waited 77 minutes before taking action. Legal experts consider the charges against Arredondo and Gonzales as groundbreaking, as they are the first officers in Texas to face child-endangerment charges in such a case.

The U.S. Justice Department issued a report highly critical of how local police commanders and state law enforcement handled the incident, emphasizing that swift action by officers could have saved lives. The officers’ decision to treat the gunman as a barricaded suspect and wait for backup resulted in additional delays, with vital time lost in attempting to access the classroom.

Arredondo’s leadership during the incident came into question, as he reportedly instructed officers not to enter the classroom immediately, believing there were other victims who needed assistance. Despite Arredondo’s defense of his actions, the Justice Department review identified him as the de facto commander on-site who failed to act effectively.

Gonzales, one of the first officers at the scene, hesitated to approach the classroom where the violence was unfolding, struggling to communicate crucial information over the radio. The delayed response by law enforcement impacted the ability of emergency medical personnel to provide timely assistance to victims, further complicating the situation.

The indictment of Arredondo and Gonzales follows extensive pressure from the families of the victims for accountability. While the criminal charges send a strong message to law enforcement, the road to a conviction may pose challenges due to the unique circumstances of the case. Legal experts and defense attorneys emphasize the need for a thorough review of the evidence to determine the appropriate charges. Mitchell, the Uvalde district attorney, convened a grand jury that acted within the statute of limitations to bring charges against the former officers.