ABC News Exclusive: Former Uvalde officer Adrian Gonzales speaks out after acquittal

Former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales recently spoke out in his first interview since being acquitted of all charges in connection to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School nearly four years ago. Gonzales, who was the first officer to respond to the tragic event, expressed that he has no regrets about his actions that day and believes he was unfairly targeted by prosecutors.

During the interview with ABC News’ John Quiñones, Gonzales defended his actions and stated that unless one is in the midst of such a chaotic situation, they cannot fully understand the decisions made by those on the scene. He emphasized that he followed orders from his commanding officer and did everything possible to try to stop the violence that unfolded at the school.

The response by law enforcement to the shooting has faced criticism, with nearly 400 officers taking 77 minutes to mount a counterassault. Gonzales was one of two officers charged in connection to the incident, facing 29 counts of child endangerment. However, after a two-week trial, a jury acquitted him on all counts, much to the disappointment of some of the victims’ families who were seeking accountability.

Gonzales revealed that he feels like an outcast in his community since the indictment and has had to relocate with his family. He expressed that working with children was a passion of his, having previously worked as a teacher and coach before becoming a school police officer.

His attorneys, Nico LaHood and Jason Goss, argued that Gonzales was unfairly singled out by prosecutors and that his acquittal was a step towards justice. They believe that the focus on individual accountability in such cases might divert attention from crucial issues like better training, response protocols, and funding for school police officers.

Looking ahead, Gonzales hopes that the tragedy at Robb Elementary School can lead to positive changes in school security measures and response protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also expressed solidarity with former Uvalde Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who is facing similar charges and is awaiting his day in court.

In conclusion, Gonzales remains steadfast in his belief that his actions were justified and that his acquittal was the right outcome. As he continues to navigate the aftermath of the tragic event, he hopes that the lessons learned from the incident will lead to a safer environment for schools and communities moving forward.