Adrian Gonzales, the former Uvalde school police officer facing 29 counts of child endangerment for his role in the response to the Robb Elementary School shooting, successfully moved his trial to Corpus Christi, set for Jan. 5, 2026.
Nico LaHood, Gonzales’ attorney, confirmed the new location and date of the trial. He said Judge Sid Harle would still preside over the case.
“We were pleased that the government agreed with our request,” LaHood said, adding that Uvalde was “so emotionally charged” as a venue. Gonzales’ trial was initially set for Oct. 20 in Uvalde. LaHood first announced plans to request a change of venue in December of last year, and filed for it on Aug. 11, arguing that Gonzales could not receive a fair trial or a jury without prejudice in the county.
On Aug. 28, District Attorney Christina Mitchell filed a response, and said the state did not oppose the ask. She cited recent records releases from the county and school district and renewed media attention as reasoning. Mitchell declined to speak with the newspaper on a phone call on Oct. 7, requesting an in-person meeting instead.
“I’m just very disappointed,” said Monica Gallegos, the mother of Annabell Rodriguez, a victim of the shooting. “It’s just another slap in the face.”
Gallegos said she will still attend Gonzales’ trial, and that Mitchell did not consult with her before making the decision not to oppose the venue change.
Gonzales is one of two men facing criminal charges for the response to the May 24, 2022, shooting, in which it took nearly 400 law enforcement officers 77 minutes to confront the gunman. Nineteen fourth-graders and two teachers died that day.
Pete Arredondo, the former school district police chief, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of child endangerment. His trial was also set for Oct. 20 in Uvalde, but has been postponed until the state can secure three Customs and Border Patrol personnel as witnesses.
hmecklin@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335