A day after the horror, the names and stories of those who were killed in the worst massacre at a school in the United States in a decade began to emerge< /h2>
Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, on May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Nuri Vallbona
The Texas elementary school massacre left countless unfulfilled dreams, unfinished stories, and eternal mourning for the loved ones of the victims. One day after the attack that resulted in the lives of at least 19 students and two teachers, the names and stories of those involved in the second largest massacre in a school in the United States began to be known.
Xavier López, 10, was identified as one of the victims at Robb Elementary School, his mother, Felicha Martínez, confirmed to The Washington Post.
“He was funny, he was never serious and his smile… I will never forget that smile. He always made anyone happy,” Martinez said of his fourth-grade son.
As the final stretch of his senior year of elementary school, Xavier counted down the days until he officially moved on to Flores Middle School in Uvalde.
Xavier López with his certificate
Hours before the massacre, Xavier received a painting honors at school. His mother was there, proud, to accompany him to the ceremony. She took a picture of him with the certificate not knowing that this would be the last. He never imagined that this would be the last moment he would share with his “mama’s boy” .
Another sad story is that of Amerie Jo Garza, also 10 years old. Her father, Angel Garza, posted on Facebook early Wednesday that his daughter had been killed in the shooting at her elementary school.
“Thank you all for prayers and help in trying to find my baby. She has been found. My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don’t take anything for granted for a second. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo. Take care of your little brother for me”, the father wrote.
Berlinda Irene Arreola, Amerie’s grandmother, revealed that the murderer, Salvador Ramos, told his granddaughter’s class “you are going to die” before beginning his massacre. At that time, the girl tried to call 911. Shooter. instead of trying to take the phone from her, he shot her. “She was sitting next to her best friend. Her best friend was covered in her blood,” Berlinda said.
Amerie Jo Garza, victim of the massacre, and her father, Angel Garza
Uziyah Garcia, 10, has been identified as one of the victims, his family confirmed to CNN. He was in the fourth grade, his aunt Nikki Cross said. His uncle Mitch Renfro described him as a “great kid. Full of life. He loved anything with wheels and video games”.
“ The sweetest boy I have ever met. I’m not just saying that because he was my grandson,” his grandfather, Manny Renfro, told KSAT.
Uziyah Garcia
José Flores Jr., 10 years old, also lost his life in the massacre, his father José Flores Sr. told CNN. The little boy was in fourth grade and loved baseball and video games .
“He was always full of energy. Ready to play until nightfall, ”said his father, who described his son as an incredible boy and older brother of his two brothers .
Jose Flores Jr.
Eva Mireles, an educator for 17 years, taught fourth graders at Robb Elementary School, according to her aunt, Lydia Martínez Delgado, who confirmed that her niece was among the killed. Delgado said that her nephew, Rubén Ruiz , was a police officer with the Uvalde school district and was married to Mireles. The couple’s daughter recently graduated from college, Delgado said.
Delgado said Look at them b> -age 44- was cheerful and active, recalling a time when she got up before dawn with other relatives for a walk during a family reunion. “ she did everything she could to live a long life, and here she was cut short ”, said Delgado in a phone interview with The Washington Postearly Wednesday.
Eva Mireles
Audrey García said she will never forget the care that Mireles gave her daughter Gabby, now 23, when she was in third grade.
“My daughter has Down syndrome, and she was one of the first students at the time to be included in a regular classroom,” said Garcia, who now lives in San Antonio. “Mrs. Mireles always went above and beyond. She never saw that Gabby had less potential than the other students ”.