Uvalde Officer Adrian Gonzales's Court Interview: Timeline and Response

Officer's Account of the Day

• 👮 Officer Adrian Gonzales, assigned to Uvalde High School, recounts his workday on May 25th, 2022.
• 🌳 His initial assignment involved patrolling a senior class activity at Western Park from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• 🚨 Upon hearing a 1050 (accident) on the police radio, he began responding, but then heard a crucial update: "the guy has a gun."

Initial Response to Rob Elementary

• 🚗 Gonzales proceeded to Rob Elementary, using only red and blue lights, not sirens.
• 🏃 He observed a female coach running towards the school and made contact with her.
• 🗣️ The coach directed him, stating, "He's over there. He's over there. The shooter. He's wearing black."
• 💥 While attempting to locate the shooter based on the coach's directions, Gonzales heard rounds being fired and saw glass breaking from windows.

Entry and Initial Engagement

• 🚪 Gonzales, along with Chief Donald Paige and others, entered the school through a south door.
• 💨 Inside, the environment was disorienting, described as smelling burnt and looking like smoke from a fire extinguisher.
• 💥 Gunfire was heard from within the building, estimated at 7 to 9 rounds.
• 🤕 Lieutenant Martinez was injured during this initial entry, prompting a tactical withdrawal.

Evacuation and Search Efforts

• 🔑 After regrouping outside, officers, including Gonzales, were involved in breaking windows to evacuate students.
• 🏫 Gonzales helped pull children out of classrooms through windows on the west side of the building.
• 🔑 He also obtained master keys from Cubish to help access locked classrooms.
• 👨‍🚒 EMS was set up at the door, and medics began working on injured individuals.

Post-Incident Observations and Reflections

• 🤫 Gonzales noted that during the lockdown, the school was instructed to maintain silence, with lights off and students hiding.
• 📱 The Raptor system, an alert system for school employees, was discussed as a means to initiate lockdowns.
• ❓ Gonzales stated he never saw the shooter and that his priority was the coach's direction and then assisting with evacuations.
• 🗣️ He expressed that his actions were driven by adrenaline and a focus on the immediate situation, leading to "tunnel vision."
• ⚖️ The interview was played in court, with legal analysts discussing Gonzales's demeanor and the potential impact on his defense.