21 people, including 19 children, were killed in an armed attack on a primary school in Uvalde, Texas. The ages of the children who died were between 7 and 10 years old. Some were rewarded for their achievements in school just hours before the attack.
One of the victims was a 10-year-old boy who loved to dance. A girl died while trying to call the police.
This is one of the bloodiest elementary school attacks in the US. 10 years ago, 20 children and six adults were killed in another attack.
There are reports that two children from the same family have died, but these news have not yet been confirmed.
‘The sweetest boy I’ve ever met’
A few hours before the shooting, some parents who went to the school proudly watched their children raise their honor cards at the awards ceremony. They would have to go back to school the same day.
Amerie Jo GarzaHe was one of the first children to be identified. Her grandmother, Berlinda Irene Arreola, told the British newspaper The Daily Beast that Amerie had just celebrated her 10th birthday two weeks ago and was shot while trying to call the police.
His grandmother stated that Amerie was a “very extrovert” and “teacher’s word of mouth”.
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“Please don’t wait for a second. Hug your family. Tell them you love them,” one of the children’s family members wrote on Facebook.
10-year-old victims Xavier Javier LopezHe is described by his 54-year-old cousin, Lisa Garza, as a jovial kid who is a total swimmer:
“He was a loving 10-year-old boy. He was living his life unaware of the tragedy that awaited him. He was very jovial and loved to dance with his brothers and his mother. His loss touched us all deeply.”
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another victim Uziah Garcia He was 8 years old. “He was the sweetest kid I ever met,” his grandfather Manny Renfro remembers.
The last time Renfro saw his grandson, the schools were off and they practiced soccer together. “He was so fast for a little kid that he was catching the ball really well. I remember in some games he did exactly what we did in practice,” he says.
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‘Worst of nightmares’
44 year old Eva Mireles He was the first teacher identified among the victims.
Bilingual and specializing in special education, Mireles had taught fourth-year students at Uvalde for 17 years.
In his short biography published on the website of the district where the school is located, he says that he likes to run and walk. He also states that he has a fun and loving family with his wife, college graduate daughter and “three furry friends.”
According to media reports, Mireles’ wife, Ruben Ruiz, was a police officer in Uvalde. Ruiz is reported to have conducted an active gun attack exercise at Uvalde High School two months ago.
Mireles’ aunt Lydia Martinez DelgadoHe says he is “angry that these attacks continue” on his Facebook post.
His cousin, Cristina Arizmendi Mirelez, used the phrase, “It’s unthinkable. It’s the worst of nightmares.”
Second teacher killed in attack Irma GarciaHe was 46 years old and had served 23 years at Robb Elementary School where the attack took place.
In 2019, he was nominated to be the teacher of the year in the region where he worked. Garcia and Mireles had been working together for five years.
Garcia has been married for 24 years, has four children, loves to barbecue and listen to music with his wife.
According to the news of the American media outlet NBC, Irma Garcia’s son said that a friend of the law enforcement officers at the scene saw his mother while he was shielding his students during the attack.
“We lost my aunt, she sacrificed her life to protect the kids in her class,” her nephew John said on social media:
“His name is IRMA GARCIA and he died a HERO. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.”
Other victims were identified later. Following their deaths, the following expressions were used, full of pain and love:
- Ellie Garcia‘s father said his 10-year-old daughter was “loved very much and is the happiest girl in the world”.
- Jaliah Nicole Silguero“Fly high baby,” said Veronica Luevanos, ‘s mother, on Facebook, saying goodbye to her daughter.
- Jayce Carmelo Luevanos**** is presumed to be Jaliah’s cousin based on the photos shared by her family. “I still can’t believe we won’t be seeing you again,” his aunt, who confirmed Jayce was one of the victims, said on Facebook.
- in fourth grade Tess Marie MataHis sister, who named him after him, described him as a “precious angel”.
- Nevaeh BravoVerifying his identity, his cousin said the little boy “fly into the sky” and asked people to pray for Nevaeh.