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Former Uvalde school police chief and officer indicted over Robb Elementary response, reports say

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Former Uvalde school police chief and officer indicted over Robb Elementary response, reports say


The former Uvalde schools police chief and another former officer have been indicted over their role in the slow police response to the 2022 massacre in a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead, according to multiple reports Thursday.

The Uvalde Leader-News and the San Antonio Express-News reported former schools police Chief Pete Arredondo and former officer Adrian Gonzales were indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of felony child endangerment and abandonment. The Uvalde Leader-News reported that District Attorney Christina Mitchell confirmed the indictment.

The Austin American-Statesman also reported two former officers had been indicted but did not identify them.

Mitchell did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. Several family members of victims of the shooting did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

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The indictments would make Arredondo, who was the on-site commander during the attack, and Gonzales the first officers to face criminal charges in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A scathing report by Texas lawmakers that examined the police response described Gonzales as one of the first officers to enter the building after the shooting began.

The indictments were kept under seal until the men were in custody, and both were expected to turn themselves in by Friday, the news outlets reported.

The indictments come more than two years after an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in a fourth grade classroom, where he remained for more than 70 minutes before officers confronted and killed him. In total, 376 law enforcement officers massed at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, some waiting in the hallway outside the classroom, even as the gunman could be heard firing an AR-15-style rifle inside.

The officer of a former attorney for Arredondo said they did not know whether the former chief has new representation. The AP could not immediately find a phone number to reach Gonzales.

Arredondo lost his job three months later. Several officers involved were eventually fired, and separate investigations by the Department of Justice and state lawmakers faulted law enforcement with botching their response to the massacre. A 600-page Justice Department report released in January that catalogued “cascading failures” in training, communication, leadership and technology problems that day.

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Austin, TX

Missing man's friends find phone on ground hours after he was last seen: APD

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Missing man's friends find phone on ground hours after he was last seen: APD


(Austin Police Department)

The Austin Police Department is looking for a missing man who was last seen Saturday afternoon in the Rainey Street area.

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40-year-old Daniel Choi was last seen just after 1 p.m. on June 29 in the 600 block of Davis Street.

APD says Choi’s friends found his phone on the ground at Cesar Chavez and South 1st Street, less than a mile away, at about 5:45 p.m.

The department says that there is a concern as Choi needs medication and has no wallet or phone and this is considered out of the ordinary behavior for him.

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Choi is described as a white male, 5’8″ and 130 lbs, with straight black hair and limited use of his right arm. He was last seen wearing blue swim shorts with a bird print and a blue T-shirt.

Anyone who sees Choi should call 9-1-1 immediately or the APD Missing Person’s Unit at 512-974-5250.



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Austin, TX

APD seeking the public’s help to find 40-year-old missing man

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APD seeking the public’s help to find 40-year-old missing man


AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department has asked for the public’s help in its search for a missing 40-year-old who was last seen Saturday afternoon in downtown Austin, according to a press release from the agency.

Police identified the missing man as Daniel Choi, and said he was last seen in the 600 block of Davis Street around 1:04 p.m. His friends found his cellphone on the ground at Caesar Chavez and South First Street around 5:45 p.m., APD said in a news release.

APD said it has concerns for Choi’s disappearance, as he needs undisclosed medications.

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The Austin Police Department is seeking the public’s help to find a 40-year-old missing man last seen in downtown Austin Saturday (Courtesy APD)

Choi is described as an Asian man, 5 feet 8 inches, 130 pounds, has straight black hair and has limited use of his right arm, according to APD. He was last seen wearing blue swim shorts with bird print on them and a blue T-shirt.

If anyone sees Choi, they are urged to call 911 immediately or the APD Missing Person’s Unit at 512-974-5256.



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Austin, TX

Fourth of July celebrations in Texas

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Fourth of July celebrations in Texas


TEXAS — Looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July?

Here is a list of events happening across Texas on July 4:

Central Texas

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival

On the streets of the Hill Country Galleria, this event will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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There will be shopping, live music and a firework show after dark.

Austin Symphony H-E-B July 4th Concert & Fireworks

This event will take place at the Auditorium Shores and the Long Center. Enjoy music and food starting at 4 p.m. and a firework show to finish off the night at 9:30 p.m.

Hutto Fourth of July Celebration

This event will take place at the Brushy Creek Amphitheater from 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

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The celebration will feature live music, kids entertainment, local food vendors and fireworks.

San Marcos’ Fireworks Show

This event will be visible throughout San Marcos with the city encouraging residents to enjoy the fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. The best visible places for the show are San Marcos Activity Center, San Marcos Public Library, City Park or Bobcat Stadium.

Round Rock Fourth of July Parade & Frontier Days

This event will take place at the Round Rock Mays Street and Old Settlers Park, with a parade at 8:30 a.m. and celebrations at the park starting at noon.

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After the parade, families can enjoy carnival rides, pig racing, live music and a pepper-eating contest.

Marble Falls Fourth of July Fireworks

The celebration at Lakeside Park starts at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Live music and food will be there for attendees to enjoy.

Kerrville’s 4th on the River

Come and enjoy a concert, vendors and fireworks during this celebration. The event will take place at Louise Hays Park. With the fireworks celebration kicking off at 9:30 p.m. 

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Floresville Fourth of July Festival

Floresville is hosting its Fourth of July Festival, which takes place from 3 to 11 p.m. The event will feature fun activities, live music and food and craft vendors. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m.

North Texas

Denton Fourth of July Jubilee

Don’t miss out on a free family-friendly event from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Denton Downtown Square. Experience live music, food from local vendors, games, inflatables, rock climbing, face painting, photo opportunities, a hot dog eating contest, and an unforgettable drone show to end the night!

Frisco’s Party in the Plaza

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Following the FC Dallas match, Frisco is hosting a firework show at around 9:45 p.m. Enjoy live music, a car show and food throughout the day, leading up to the fireworks.

Fair Park Fourth

From 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., enjoy local vendors, live music, entertainment, food trucks and a firework show to end the night. The firework show will begin close to 9:40 p.m.

Fort Worth’s Fourth

At Panther Island Pavilion, you’ll be able to enjoy food, kids’ activities and live music from Trey and the Tritones and Coffey Anderson. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and attendees are invited to bring your own tube and float in the roped area until 8 p.m. The night will be topped off with a firework show at 9:30 p.m.

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McKinney’s Red, White and Boom

This festival will take place at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be music, food, activities, a concert and fireworks to finish off the festival.

Grapevine July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza

The event will start at 9:30 p.m. They will also have a playlist to listen to while watching the fireworks show. You can find the playlist on their website.



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