“It has been a long hard fight and this needed to happen! We almost forgot what justice felt like so it is still sinking in.” Adam Martinez said.
by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
Earlier this evening, the San Antonio Express News reported that a grand jury handed down indictments against former Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredodno and former Uvalde CISD officer Adrian Gonzales on charges of child endangerment in connection their respective actions at the May 24th, 2022 Robb School Massacre.
The San Antonio Express News report stated: “A Uvalde County grand jury indicted then-Chief Pedro ‘Pete’ Arredondo and then-officer Adrian Gonzales on charges of abandoning/endangering a child, a state jail felony.”
The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to several family members of the victims of the Robb School Massacre, a surviving teacher and other community members who have been fighting for justice and accountability for those officers who they feel failed in their duties to go in and confront the shooter.
Jesus “Jesse” Rizo, the uncle to Jacklyn “Jackie” Cazares, was one of 19 children killed at Robb Elementary.
Rizo said, “I’m glad the grand jury was able to carefully review the details and find enough information to indict Mr Arredondo and Mr Gonzales. I think this is the best form or accountability and a step in the right direction for justice. I look forward to seeing other officers such as Mr Pargas indictment.
Adam Martinez also responded to the news of the Grand Jury Indictment decision:
He said, “It has been a long hard fight and this needed to happen! We almost forgot what justice felt like so it is still sinking in.”
One of Martinez’s children was at Robb Elementary School on May 24th, 2022 but was not physically injured, according to a report by FIRE
Martinez has been an outspoken voice calling for justice and accountability since the tragedy.
Amy Franco, a teacher who was at Robb School that day in the hallway calling for students to get inside their classrooms shared her response to the news of the indictments.
“I say FINALLY! we see some accountability for the abject failures by officers from May 24th and I hope there is a line forming behind those first two,” Franco said.
Jennifer Gilliland, who has been a local citizen advocate for the Robb Victim’s families, said, “Yes, I believe the indictment of Pete Arredondo is justified and a long time coming.”
