Former Uvalde Police Chief Claims Others are to Blame for Shooting Response

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Pete Arredondo, the former police chief of the Uvalde school district, has publicly stated that he feels he has been unfairly blamed for the inadequate law enforcement response during the Robb Elementary School shooting. In an interview with CNN, Arredondo expressed his belief that he has been “scapegoated” for the actions of nearly 400 officers who waited over an hour to confront the gunman, despite children being trapped and in distress inside the classrooms. Following the tragic incident, Texas Department of Public Safety head Col. Steve McCraw labeled Arredondo as the “incident commander” overseeing a large contingent of law enforcement. Recently, a grand jury indicted Arredondo and former Uvalde schools police Officer Adrian Gonzales on multiple charges of child endangerment and abandonment, to which they have both pleaded not guilty. Arredondo contends that the narrative surrounding his responsibility is rooted in “lies and deception.” In his defense, Arredondo pointed to bodycam footage that he claims demonstrates his immediate response alongside other officers who entered the school. He noted that he was not wearing a protective vest, highlighting the chaotic nature of the situation. However, some community members, including parents of victims, have criticized the delay in action, asserting that there is no justification for not entering the building sooner. Reflecting on the day of the shooting, Arredondo acknowledged the challenges faced but maintained that the decisions made were based on the information available at the time, stating, “You can think all day and second guess yourself. I know we did the best we could with what we had.”