Texas trooper reinstated in Uvalde after being suspended for mishandling 2022 shooting incident

The Texas Department of Public Safety has lifted the suspension of a state trooper connected to the inadequate law enforcement response to a shooting at a Uvalde elementary school in 2022. The trooper, Texas Ranger Christopher Ryan Kindell, was reinstated to his position in Uvalde County following a request from the local district attorney and a review by a grand jury that did not result in charges against him.

The incident on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School resulted in the tragic deaths of nineteen students and two teachers, marking it as one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Over 400 officers waited over an hour before engaging the shooter in the classroom, while injured students sought help through texts and calls to 911.

Initially suspended in January 2023 for failing to meet department standards during the active shooter situation, Kindell’s reinstatement follows scathing state and federal reports highlighting training deficiencies, communication breakdowns, and leadership issues among law enforcement that day. Several officers faced disciplinary actions, with one choosing retirement, and another resigning.

While only two former officers from the Uvalde schools police department currently face criminal charges, former chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales have been indicted for child endangerment and abandonment, entering not guilty pleas in July. The reinstatement of Kindell came after the district attorney’s recommendation following a grand jury assessment that did not pursue actions against DPS officers.

Victims’ families in the small town of Uvalde, Texas, have been advocating for accountability in the delayed police response, some urging for more officers to face consequences. Lawsuits have been filed by several families against law enforcement, social media platforms, online gaming companies, and the rifle manufacturer used by the shooter.