Not Guilty: Uvalde Officer Acquitted in First Trial Over School Shooting Response
After deliberating for more than seven hours, a jury in Corpus Christi delivered a not guilty verdict Wednesday evening for former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales. The 52-year-old faced 29 counts of child endangerment related to his response during the devastating May 24, 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School that claimed the lives of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers.
The verdict marks the conclusion of the first criminal trial stemming from the widely criticized law enforcement response, where 77 minutes passed before a tactical team finally entered the classroom to confront and kill the gunman. Gonzales was among the first officers on scene, arriving within minutes of the attack.
As the verdict was read, Gonzales appeared emotional, hugging his attorneys and wiping away tears. His defense team argued he had been unfairly scapegoated for a systemic failure involving nearly 400 officers from multiple agencies. Defense attorney Jason Goss told reporters that evidence showed Gonzales “not only did he not fail, but he put himself in great danger”, emphasizing that other officers who arrived simultaneously had better opportunities to stop the gunman.
A Community Still Seeking Justice
For the grieving families of Uvalde, the verdict delivered yet another devastating blow.
Jacinto Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter Jackie died in the shooting, called the verdict “yet another instance of the legal system failing to deliver justice”. Jackie’s uncle, Jesse Rizo, expressed concern about the message the acquittal sends to law enforcement. “If you’re an officer, you can simply stand by, stand down, stand idle, and not do anything,” he said, questioning what precedent this sets for future active shooter responses.
The emotional toll on the community remains profound. The trial featured harrowing testimony from teachers who survived being shot and parents who sent their children to school for an awards ceremony that morning, never to see them alive again. Counseling resources have been made available through the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas and the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center for those struggling with the trial’s impact.
What Comes Next for Other Officers
Only two officers have faced criminal charges: Gonzales and former UCISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who was the on-site commander that day. Arredondo faces 10 child endangerment charges, but his trial has been indefinitely delayed due to a federal lawsuit seeking to compel testimony from Border Patrol agents who were present during the shooting.
Arredondo’s attorney, Paul Looney, told reporters he believes the verdict will result in prosecutors dropping the case against his client, though he also stated that Arredondo deserves his day in court for complete vindication. Victims’ families, however, hope prosecutors will continue pursuing the case against Arredondo.
This case represents only the second time in U.S. history that prosecutors have sought criminal accountability from law enforcement for their response to a mass shooting. The first was the 2023 acquittal of a Florida deputy for his inaction during the Parkland school shooting, illustrating the difficulty of securing convictions against officers for failures to act.
As Uvalde continues to grapple with this outcome, the community’s faith in justice remains fractured but not broken, with many still hoping for accountability in the trials yet to come.
The Austin Police Department is intensifying its search efforts after a third elderly man was reported missing this week. Authorities are increasingly concerned as a combination of existing health issues and approaching winter weather poses a heightened risk to the three men currently unaccounted for. (Austin Anerican-Statesman)
Police arrested an armed man accused of forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s Cedar Park while she and her two children were inside Monday.
Round Rock police have made two additional arrests in connection with a shooting that occurred during a New Year’s Eve event at the Platinum Event Center.
Authorities in Kyle arrested three teen males in connection with a car burglary.
A teenager was shot Wednesday afternoon at the Park Place at Loyola apartment complex at 6200 Loyola Lane.
Police believe the teen was shot during “a physical altercation… involving juveniles.” The suspect was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered, police said. (CBS Austin)
ICE activity was reported Wednesday in several areas around the region including Hog Eye and Decker Lane, Georgetown and Hutto.
Strong emotions filled Kyle City Hall on Tuesday night as the city council meeting opened with public comment, much of it focused on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Hays County.
Elgin Mayor Theresa McShan and City Manager Robert Eads have issued the following statements to residents concerning ICE raids in their area:
“The City of Elgin is known for being a loving, supportive, and generous community where all people are treated with respect and dignity, and neighbors help others in need. We are also a community where everyone should be able to live, work, and play without fear for their safety and well-being. As a human being, the recent dehumanizing activities and complete lack of compassion, empathy, or understanding by this agency makes my blood boil, and as person of color, it brings back many unwanted memories of past injustices in our country It is unconscionable to separate families and tear apart our Latino communities, and I believe the agency is on a slippery slope towards targeting other vulnerable communities, many of whom reside in Elgin. I could be next, or any of my mixed-race family members across the country.”
“While we do not have direct control over the actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) or the manner in which they carry out their duties, as a Council we can say that we do not condone actions by ICE or any agency that make vulnerable residents in our community feel they are not welcome in Elgin. Residents who have not committed any crimes should feel safe in the knowledge that the City Council, City staff, and Public Safety Officials have their back, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that they continue to feel that way.” — Elgin Mayor Theresa McShan
Elgin City Manager Robert Alexander Eads:
“We support Chief Noble and our public safety officers when they respond and aid federal, state, or county agencies that request their help to enforce criminal laws, and we fully support their commitment to act within the confines of all Federal, State, and local laws to protect our community. But let it be clear to all our residents that the City of Elgin Police Department (EPD) does not:”
- Have any formal Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) or Interlocal Agreements (ILA’s) with any Federal law enforcement agency for this operation;
- Have any informal agreements with said agencies for this operation;
- Inquire about a person’s immigration status; or
- Issue any detainers or administrative warrants on behalf of ICE.
“Like other cities across our great nation, we are keeping a close eye on the actions of this agency and will continue to support and protect our law-abiding residents from harm and distress to the extent that we are able. As the first Latino City Manager of the great City of Elgin, I too believe that God created us ALL equal – so equally is how we should all be treated.”
The death of a 55-year-old Cuban detainee who died on January 3 at a federal immigration detention camp in El Paso was ruled a homicide Wednesday by the El Paso Medical Examiner’s office. (Texas Tribune)
A new ICE detention facility is in the works for southeast El Paso.
An internal memo from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement reportedly suggests that agents don’t need judicial warrants to enter homes.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett is drawing sharp backlash and new support after blasting federal immigration raids as “modern-day slave patrols” and comparing them to Nazi-era door-to-door roundups.
For far too long, the federal government has operated immigration flights without full transparency. These ghost flights are tearing families apart, leaving loved ones in the dark, and giving immigration agencies free rein to act without oversight, transparency, and justice. It… pic.twitter.com/kK1IDiXGt0
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) January 21, 2026
A recent Texas DMV hearing addressed new ID requirements aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from registering and renewing vehicle registrations. The DMV stated that these new guidelines are meant to ensure the validity of ID documents. The Travis County Tax Assessor is refusing the ID changes.
Austin City Council meets today for its regular meeting.
Austin Civic Meetings: Thursday, January 22nd
— Jen Robichaux (@JenRobichaux) January 20, 2026
· Austin City Council Regular Meeting @ 10AM https://t.co/JU9MGyR0Ap
· Zero Waste Block Leader Orientation @ 12PM https://t.co/C6IfnEw6n2
· Austin Audit Petition Meetup @ 4:30PM https://t.co/edRPkAKlJW
· Know Your Rights Community… pic.twitter.com/V3quLbsZ9Z
TODAY’S AGENDA
Austin firefighters fought a blaze at an area park Wednesday morning.
A motorcyclist suffered injuries in a crash Wednesday afternoon in East Austin.
The Austin Transit Project said it’s reached a major milestone for the Austin Light Rail project by receiving a “Record of Decision” from the Federal Transit Administration for its Final Environmental Impact Statement.
KXAN Traffic Reporter Erica Brennes talks about Austin traffic and construction.
In one of the biggest pain points yet since the historic expansion of I-35 through Central Austin began, thousands of drivers have permanently lost access to an interstate crossing that has been in place for decades. (KUT 90.5)
WEATHER
WEDNESDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL TEXAS THIS WEEKEND
1142 AM CST Thu Jan 22 2026
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO NOON CST
SUNDAY…
* WHAT…Accumulations of 1/10 to 1/4 inch of ice likely across the
warning area. Isolated amounts of 1/4 to 1/2 inch are possible
across the Hill Country. In addition, dangerously cold
temperatures are expected Saturday night through Monday morning.
* WHERE…A portion of south central Texas.
* WHEN…From 6 AM Saturday to noon CST Sunday.
* IMPACTS…Travel will be difficult.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Freezing rain could begin as early as
Saturday morning over the Hill Country and Saturday afternoon and
evening elsewhere.
There’s a lot to talk about concerning big changes in our weather arriving late Friday and into Saturday and Sunday.
What is certain: there WILL BE a major winter storm system that will stretch from Texas to the Carolinas. North Texas will get the brunt of it here in the Lone Star State, but Austin and Central Texas could still see an accumulation of sleet and ice to go with sub-freezing temperatures and near-zero wind chills.
What is not certain: the timing and amount of precipitation in conjunction with the expected blast of Arctic air and how that might affect roads, airports and power lines.
Weather.gov Winter Weather Watches and Warnings and what they mean.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
ERCOT says the state’s power grid will hold up this weekend.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday endorsed Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller‘s Republican primary challenger, initiating a rare intraparty dustup with an entrenched incumbent who has strong ties to President Donald Trump.
Abbott said he is backing political newcomer Nate Sheets, because he is “committed to fighting for the best interests of Texas agriculture, upholding the rule of law, and restoring integrity” to the office Miller has held since 2015. (Texas Tribune via MSN)
The charges include a $7,000 fee for being absent, plus another $2,000 to cover the $125,000 the state spent trying to round them up and bring them back to the Capitol.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on Cy-Fair ISD to sever its ties with the 2026 Houston Islamic Games, which he says were scheduled for October at Bridgeland High School. (Houston Public Media)
Recorded live at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas Take host Jeremy Wallace sits down with Beto O’Rourke for a conversation about why he chose not to run for office this cycle and what he’s doing instead. O’Rourke talks about his work with Powered by People, efforts to register and turn out new voters across Texas, and why down-ballot races matter as much as marquee contests. The discussion also touches on Democratic primary dynamics where O’Rourke weighs in on the race between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico, voter suppression, the stakes of the 2026 midterms, and the unexpected parallels between grassroots politics and punk rock, drawing on O’Rourke’s time as a musician.
(Episode from January 21, 2026)
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz says he’ll be back in time ahead of a looming Arctic front threatening ice-coated roads, days of subfreezing temperatures and wind chills near zero across the state.
The state has signed off on voucher funds for schools that exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids. (Texas Observer)
From Texas DPS: TEN MOST WANTED SEX OFFENDERS – JANUARY 2026
Six Flags Over Texas‘s new “Tormenta” Immelmann inversion ride has been completed and will be ready for riders this summer.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Junior guard/forward Dailyn Swain posted a game-high 29 points, but Texas (11-8, 2-4 SEC) dropped a hard-fought 85-80 decision at Kentucky (13-6, 4-2 SEC) on Wednesday night in Rupp Arena. The tightly-contested game featured 11 lead changes and 11 ties. (Texas Longhorns)
Rashaun Agee had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists as Texas A&M cruised by Mississippi State 88-68 on Wednesday night. The Aggies (15-4, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) have won eight of their last nine, their only loss coming at the hands of then-No. 24 Tennessee 87-82 in double overtime. (FOX Sports)
NBA: After a night off last night, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio all take the court tonight.
NHL: The Dallas Stars made a roster move Wednesday.
Dallas was off last night but are in Columbus tonight.
If Texas dance halls had a Mount Rushmore, this iconic honky-tonk would be chiseled in. From the outside, it looks like the kind of roadside stop where you’d grab a cold Coke and a bag of pork rinds. But step inside, and you’ll quickly realize you’ve entered a shrine to Texas country music that’s been making boots scoot since 1942.
