On Friday, January 9, 2026, Former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales, who is charged with 29 counts of child endangerment and abandonment, appeared for his fourth day in trial. He is the first to be tried in connection with the Uvalde school shooting and is facing dozens of charges for the mass destruction that took place at Robb Elementary in 2022. If he is convicted, he could face two years for each charge.

Two Charged in Connection

Alongside Gonzales, former Uvalde school police Chief Pete Arredondo was also included in the alleged crimes. A grand jury indicted the two in June 2024, and they remain the only ones to be indicted for the shooting. Gonzales was one of 400 officers and among the first to arrive on the scene, whereas Arredondo was the on-site commander that day. He has been charged with 10 counts of abandoning or endangering a child. 

According to prosecutors, Arredondo failed to identify an active shooting and failed to follow proper procedure. His decision-making slowed the police’s response to stop the gunman who was turning the school into a hunting range. A trial date has yet to be set for him, but the events of Gonzales’ will foreshadow how his goes.

Day Four of Trial

On day four of the trial, several Texas Rangers, a forensic pathologist, and a grieving mother testified. Ranger Kevin Wright was asked about several exhibits, including diagrams, photographs of entrances, bullet defects, bullet fragments, shrapnel, and evidence markers. Bullet defects were noted in windows, blinds, doors, and ceilings, but no evidence was found on the exterior near the playground or pavilion. 

Retired Ranger Juan Torrez photographed Room 111 and documented the scene. He described the room as disarray, and the weapon that was used was an M4 semi-automatic rifle with a 30-round magazine. Many bullet fragments and shell casings were found in the room. Bullet defects were located in the walls, windows, and doors. The shooter was found in the closet waiting for the police so he could shoot at them, and he successfully injured an officer.

The third and final ranger that was questioned was Lieutenant Brent Barina. He was asked about the crime scene processing outside Room 24, where part of the shooting occurred, and if bullets from Room 111 could have carried over. The defense and prosecution confirmed no evidence of a gun misfire by the shooter.

The pathologist only identified the individuals who were killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary. Among the deceased was Jennifer Garcia’s daughter, Eliahna “Ellie.” She told the jury that her daughter wanted to come home, but that Ellie had to stay the rest of the day. Jennifer was urged by her neighbor to go to the school once news had spread about the shooting, but was asked to wait at the civic center for further information.

Request for Mistrial Denied

Gonzales’ defense attorneys previously requested a mistrial after a teacher at Robb Elementary School, Stephanie Hale, testified, but the request was ultimately denied. She testified that she witnessed the shooter, and he was dressed in all black with long hair. She reported that Gonzales was within 100 feet of the shooter, which quickly condemns the defendant. The defense claims that when she was first interviewed by law enforcement, her statements were different.

Jason Gross, one of Gonzales’ lawyers, claimed that Hale’s testimony had changed, which was unfair to their client and blindsided them in court. Since the information was not shared before the trial, it may constitute a Brady violation, suggesting a “trial by ambush.” They also used the sudden change to bring her credibility into question. Judge Harle denied the request for a mistrial, deciding that Hale’s mistake was due to negligence and was not intentional.

Adrian Gonzales Faces Possible Conviction

If Gonzales is convicted and faces up to 58 years in prison, this could set a precedent for future trial proceedings and, unfortunately, future mass shootings. Gonzales was one of hundreds of officers. Although he and Arredondo were considered in charge of the operation, other law enforcement officers could have stepped in at any time. If these two are charged, then all 400 officers should be as well. They all failed to follow active shooter procedures, and all failed those children and teachers inside Robb Elementary.