Uvalde school shooting victim’s sister dragged from court after she confronts officer on trial

Velma Duran was barred from remaining in the courtroom Tuesday during proceedings in Corpus Christi after she shouted during cross-examination of a prosecution witness. Duran’s sister, Irma Garcia, was one of two teachers killed at Robb Elementary School when a gunman opened fire on May 24, 2022. Nineteen students were also killed.

The disruption occurred near the end of testimony from Sgt. Joe Vasquez, one of the officers involved in confronting the shooter. During questioning by defense attorney Nico LaHood, Vasquez acknowledged that officers were positioned in what is known as a “fatal funnel,” a narrow hallway that limits tactical movement, reports the New York Post.

At that point, Duran shouted from the gallery, saying her sister entered that hallway to protect her students. She questioned why police needed a key to enter the classroom, repeating the question as deputies escorted her out of the courtroom. Video of the incident was later published by local media.

The trial centers on former Uvalde school district officer Adrian Gonzales, who faces 29 counts of child abandonment related to the 19 students killed and 10 children who survived. Prosecutors alleged Gonzales delayed entering the school building and did not act until students had already been shot.

The shooter, Salvador Ramos, was killed by law enforcement nearly 80 minutes after the attack began.

Judge Sid Harle ruled that Duran would not be allowed to return to the courtroom for the remainder of the trial. Outside court, Duran said she was upset that no criminal charges were filed over the deaths of her sister and fellow teacher Eva Mireles.

Duran later said she was overwhelmed by repeated references to her sister’s classroom during testimony, including the display of autopsy photos of students. She also criticized Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell, saying she had been told accountability would take time.

Gonzales is one of two officers criminally charged in connection with the law enforcement response to the shooting. Defense attorneys argue he acted based on his training and the information available at the time, telling jurors he did not intentionally delay or refuse to act.