Former Uvalde Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Related to School Shooting

A former police officer from the Uvalde school district, Adrian Gonzales, entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to 29 charges stemming from his alleged failure to protect children during the Robb Elementary School shooting. The charges include 19 counts related to the deaths of the 19 children and 10 counts for those who survived the attack in classroom 112. The indictment claims Gonzales had ample opportunity to intervene but did not act in accordance with his active shooter training. The courtroom was filled with over 30 survivors and family members of the victims, including parents of children who were killed and those who survived. Veronica Mata, mother of 10-year-old victim Tess Mata, expressed the emotional weight of their presence, stating, "It's not that we want to be here -- we just feel like we have to." Her husband, Jerry Mata, voiced his belief that more officers should face charges, emphasizing the long wait for accountability. Gonzales' defense attorney, Nico LaHood, defended his client, asserting that there is no evidence to support the allegations against him. LaHood questioned why Gonzales was being singled out, suggesting a lack of clarity in the prosecution's case. The indictment also highlights failures by another officer, Pete Arredondo, who allegedly misidentified the situation and delayed law enforcement's response by calling for SWAT instead of engaging the shooter directly. The case continues to unfold as the community seeks justice and accountability for the tragic events that transpired at Robb Elementary School.