Texas Ranger Returns After Uvalde Incident

In a recent letter dated August 2, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw announced a revision of his preliminary decision regarding the response to the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School mass shooting. This change follows a comprehensive review of the Texas Ranger criminal investigation, an internal assessment of DPS officers' actions, and findings from the Uvalde Grand Jury. Notably, the Grand Jury, led by District Attorney Christina Mitchell, found no grounds for action against the DPS officers involved, despite over 90 responding to the scene. The letter highlights the involvement of two law enforcement officers, former Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo and Officer Juan Gonzales, who have been indicted for their inadequate response during the shooting. Arredondo faces ten counts of child endangerment and criminal negligence, while Gonzales is charged with 29 counts of abandoning and endangering a child. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Arredondo's indictment stems from his failure to recognize the situation as an active shooter scenario and his decision to negotiate with the gunman, which McCraw acknowledged was a significant error. Following the incident, Arredondo was dismissed from his position by the school board in August 2022. Gonzales, who was among the first to arrive at the scene, reported difficulties using his radio inside the building and later provided a set of keys and a school plan to a Texas Ranger on site. Both officers have been released on a $10,000 bond, as confirmed by Uvalde County Jail records.