Ex-Uvalde Police Chief Indicted Over Mishandled Shooting Response
TL/DR –
The former police chief of Uvalde, Texas, Pedro “Pete” Arredondo, and a former officer, Adrian Gonzales, have been indicted in connection with a botched response to a school shooting in 2022 that led to 21 deaths. Accused of 10 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child, Arredondo’s indictment follows a report by the U.S. Justice Department that critiqued local police for their delayed response in entering the classroom and neutralizing the shooter. Legal experts note that these charges represent an unprecedented use of the child-endangerment statute, which typically applies to parents or caregivers who knowingly act in a way leading to imminent danger of death or bodily injury to a child.
Ex-Police Chief Indicted Over Response to Uvalde School Shooting Incident
The ex-police chief of the Uvalde school police force, Pedro “Pete” Arredondo, has been indicted in relation to his handling of the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting that led to the deaths of 21 people. Arredondo was booked at Uvalde County jail on 10 felony counts of child abandonment or endangerment. He posted bail shortly after being booked. Former officer Adrian Gonzales was also indicted on similar charges, first reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
First Criminal Charges in School Shooting Incident
The charges mark the first time law enforcement officers have faced criminal charges over a shooting incident, leading to outrage both over the violence and law enforcement’s delay in responding. The 10 counts likely refer to the 10 children who survived by pretending to be dead or hiding among the dead.
Justice Department Report Criticizes Police Response
The U.S. Justice Department published a critical 575-page report in January, blaming local police and state law enforcement for not immediately intervening. The report concluded that swift action by the officers could have saved lives.
Arredondo’s Controversial Decision Making
Arredondo has been heavily criticized for his decisions during the incident, such as telling officers to halt their attempts to enter the classroom. He has defended his response, claiming he was not in charge. Yet, the Justice Department review concluded Arredondo was the “de facto on scene commander” and fell short in his duties.
Legal Experts Comment on Unprecedented Charges
Legal experts note the unprecedented nature of law enforcement officers facing child-endangerment charges in Texas. The charges are typically brought against parents, caregivers or individuals related to the child. However, Texas law allows for charges against individuals believed to have knowingly acted or failed to act in a way that led to imminent danger of death or bodily injury to a child.
Charges Reflect Intense Pressure from Victims’ Families
The charges follow extensive pressure from victims’ families and widespread criticism. District Attorney Christina Mitchell convened a grand jury in January that returned an indictment within the three-year statute of limitations for this charge.
Investigations Highlight Delayed Responses
A 2022 Washington Post investigation with the Texas Tribune and ProPublica outlined the considerable delays in medical response, while a separate Post investigation highlighted that the overall law enforcement delay was driven by the inaction of senior law enforcement officers.
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