Uvalde PD Sergeant Testifies on Body Cam, Police Tactics During Adrian Gonzales Trial

Law Enforcement Background and Jurisdiction

• 👨‍✈️ Daniel Coronado retired from the Uvalde Police Department after 18 years, with prior experience in law enforcement dating back to 2003.
• 🏛️ He clarified jurisdictional boundaries, stating that the Uvalde Police Department had primary jurisdiction within city limits, the Sheriff's Office covered the county, and the school district police had jurisdiction over campuses.
• 🤝 Coronado emphasized that while school police typically led investigations on campus, other agencies could assist and were expected to maintain a working relationship.

Police Equipment and Recording Devices

• 🔫 Coronado detailed his standard equipment in 2022, including a Glock sidearm, ballistic vest, baton, handcuffs, and a taser, but not a rifle.
• 📹 He explained the function of body cameras, noting they recorded audio and video when activated by a button slide, but battery life varied with camera age and charge cycles.
• 🚗 Police vehicles were equipped with dash cameras, which would stay on for a set time after the vehicle was turned off to conserve battery, and would automatically start recording when the vehicle was turned on.

Response to the Uvalde Shooting Incident

• 🚨 Coronado was at the Uvalde Police Department reviewing reports when he heard a dispatch about an accident, followed by reports of shots fired near the school.
• 🏃‍♂️ He immediately left his office, alerted other officers, and drove towards Robb Elementary School, activating his lights and sirens.
• 🚗 His dash cam footage began recording as he turned on his vehicle, taking time to boot up, which he stated was consistent with standard equipment operation.

On-Scene Observations and Actions

• 📍 Upon arriving at the intersection near the school, Coronado heard gunfire and saw officers taking cover behind their vehicles, perceiving they were receiving gunfire.
• 🗣️ Individuals from a nearby funeral home yelled that the shooter was running towards the school, prompting Coronado to get back in his vehicle to intercept.
• 🏫 He drove to the front of the school, where he met Chief Pete Arondo, and together they ran towards the school building.

Entering the School and Initial Search

• 🚶‍♂️ Coronado activated his body camera while running through a breezeway with Chief Arondo, still uncertain of the shooter's location.
• 💨 Upon entering the south side of a school building, he observed a dark hallway with smoke and smelled gunpowder.
• 💥 He noted holes in the sheetrock walls, indicating rounds had penetrated them, and found spent brass on the ground.
• 👥 Four officers, including Coronado, Chief Arondo, Adrian Gonzalez, and Sergeant Donald Page, entered the south side of the building.

Encountering Gunfire and Injuries Inside

• 👂 Inside the hallway, Coronado heard gunfire and saw Lieutenant Jav Martinez grab the back of his head, shouting that he was hit.
• 🗣️ Officers began communicating via radio, and Martinez indicated he was in a classroom to their left.
• 📞 Coronado and Adrian Gonzalez exited the south end to radio traffic, while discussion about calling SWAT occurred between Gonzalez and Arondo.

Tactical Considerations and Communication

• ⚠️ Coronado expressed concern about the backdrop when considering firing, especially with a school building and vehicles in the line of sight.
• ❓ He found it odd when Officer Saldo asked for permission to fire, as he did not know Saldo's specific backdrop at that moment.
• 📻 Radio traffic revealed communications about the shooter's potential location, clothing, and movement towards the school, with some information not being clearly relayed to all officers.
• 🚪 The discussion highlighted the importance of locked school doors for safety and the potential for distraction devices like flashbangs in tactical situations.