The trial of former Robb Elementary School officer Adrian Gonzales began, with prosecutors alleging he had the opportunity to delay or distract the shooter during the 2022 Uvalde massacre that killed 19 children and two teachers.

Gonzales, 52, faces 29 counts of child endangerment or abandonment and has pleaded not guilty, while his defense argues the shooter alone is responsible and that Gonzales acted amid confusion at the scene.

Testimony from teachers and witnesses described harrowing attempts to protect children, including arming themselves with safety scissors, and recordings of frantic 911 calls were played for jurors.

Legal disputes arose over undisclosed witness testimony and whether autopsy photos of the victims could be shown in court, while the trial continues 200 miles away in Corpus Christi, CNN has reported.

This case is only the second prosecution of a law enforcement officer for their response during a school shooting, with potential implications for future active shooter protocols; former school police chief Pete Arredondo has also been indicted in connection with the delayed response.