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- BBC News World
4 hours
image source, Facebook
Uziyah Garcia, 8, is one of the victims.
An 18-year-old man killed 19 children and two teachers this Tuesday in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, USA.
It is the deadliest shooting on record at an American elementary school since 20 children and six adults were killed at the elementary school in Sandy Hookin Connecticut, a decade ago.
A family lost two girls and a little girl was shot while trying to call 911. The victims were between seven and 10 years old.
Police identified the attacker as Salvador Ramos, who was killed at the crime scene. The young man posted on Facebook that he would shoot his grandmother and that he was on his way to a school.
“The Sweetest Boy I’ve Ever Met”
Some parents had been at Robb Elementary School hours before the shooting, proudly watching their children hold up their honor roll certificates at an awards ceremony. Hours later, they had to return.
Amerie Jo Garza she was one of the first girls whose death was confirmed. She had just celebrated her tenth birthday just two weeks ago. She was shot while she was trying to call the emergency services, her grandmother Berlinda Irene Arreola told the American digital newspaper The Daily Beast.
Amerie was “super outgoing” and “much loved by the teachers,” he added.
Meanwhile, a family member wrote on Facebook: “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them.”
Xavier Javier López10, was a keen swimmer, his cousin Lisa Garza, 54, recalled.
“I was a loving 10-year-old boy enjoying life not knowing this tragedy was going to happen today,” he said.
“He was very happy, he loved to dance with his brothers, with his mother. This has affected us all.”
Uzziah Garcia, At 8, he was the “sweetest kid I’ve ever met,” said his grandfather, Manny Renfro.
Renfro remembered the last time he had seen his grandson during the school holidays, which they used to practice soccer passes together.
“He was a very fast boy and he could catch the ball very well,” said his grandfather. “There were certain plays that I would make that he would remember and play exactly the way we had practiced them.”
“Worst Nightmare”
Eva Mireles, 44, was the first teacher whose death was confirmed. She trained in bilingual and special education, she had been teaching fourth grade students in the Uvalde school district for 17 years.
In a short biography posted on the school district’s website, he wrote about his love of running and hiking. She also noted that she had “an understanding, fun, and loving family,” made up of her husband, her daughter, her graduate, and “three furry friends.”
According to the media, Mireles’ husband, Rubén Ruiz, a police officer from the same school district, had staged a mock shooting at the Uvalde high school. just two months ago.
His aunt Lydia Martínez Delgado expressed her pain in a post posted on Facebook, saying she was “furious that these shootings continue.” Her cousin Cristina Arizmendi Mirelez said that “it is unimaginable… the worst nightmare.”
Meanwhile, a heartbroken father paid tribute to Mireles on Twitter.
The second teacher killed in the attack is Irma Garcia, 46, who had been teaching at Robb Elementary School for 23 years. She was nominated for teacher of the year by her school district in 2019. She and Mireles had been working together for five years.
image source, UCISD
Teacher Irma Garcia was seen protecting her students as the gunman opened fire.
Married for 24 years, she was the mother of four children and liked to barbecue with her husband and listen to music.
His son said a friend in law enforcement who was at the scene he saw his mother protecting her students while the gunman opened fire, the US network NBC reported.
Another family member, her nephew John, wrote on social media: “My aunt didn’t make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her class.”
“IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.”
The identities of other victims that have been confirmed over the hours:
- José Flores’ death was confirmed by his uncle, Christopher Salazar.
image source, Facebook/Christopher Salazar
Jose Flores, 10 years old.
- The sister of Tess Marie Mata fired her on Twitter. “My beautiful angel you are loved very deeply.”
- The aunt of Rojelio Torres, 10, said: “We are devastated and heartbroken.” “She was a very intelligent, hard-working and helpful person”
image source, Facebook
Rojelio Torres
- The father of ellie garcia he said his daughter, who was 10, was “a doll and the happiest of them all”.
image source, Facebook
Ellie Garcia.
- Elijah Cruz is another of the victims. Her grandfather told ABC that her granddaughter was a “beautiful girl with a lot of energy.”
image source, Facebook
Elijah Cruz
- The first of Navaeh Bravo He thanked everyone for their prayers. “Our Navaeh has been found. She is flying with the angels.”
image source, Facebook
Nevaeh Bravo
- Annabel Rodriguez He died alongside his cousin Jackie Cazares. The girls were friends and classmates.
image source, Facebook
Annabell Rodriguez.
- The death of Jayce Luevanos, 10 years old, was confirmed by relatives. “I still can’t believe we’ll never see you again,” her aunt wrote on Facebook of her.
image source, Facebook
Jayce Luevanos
- The relatives of Alexandria Aniyah “Lexi” Rubio They have confirmed his death on social media. Her cousin described her as a “bright light in everyone’s life.”
- Jailah Nicole Silguero, aged 11, died alongside his cousin Jayce Luevanos. Her mother wrote in a Facebook post that she was heartbroken. “She flies high girl”.
image source, Facebook
Jailah Nicole Silguero
- The sister of Makenna Lee Elrod He wrote on Twitter: “My little sister has finally been found in a classroom.” “I ask you to hug her loved ones”
image source, Facebook
Makenna Lee Elrod, age 10.
- a cousin of Maite Rodriguez has confirmed her death on Facebook, calling Maite a “beautiful angel”.
- Jackie Cazares He died alongside his cousin Annabelle Rodríguez. He was in fourth grade. She had made her first communion two weeks ago.
image source, Facebook
Jackie Cazares
- The father of Alithia Ramirez desperately searched for his daughter before being notified of her death.
image source, Facebook
Alithia Ramirez.
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