Formula, UCISD
Teacher Irma Garcia is said to have sacrificed her life to protect her students during the attack
At least 21 people, including 19 children, have been killed in an armed attack on an elementary school in Texas. The dead children ranged in age from 8 to 10 years. Hours before the attack, several people were rewarded for their accomplishments at the school.
One of the victims was a 10-year-old boy who loved to dance. One girl died while calling the police.
It is one of the deadliest attacks on elementary school in the United States. 10 years ago, another attack killed 20 children and six adults.
Two children from the same family have been reported dead, but this has not been confirmed.
‘The sweetest boy I’ve ever met’
Hours before the shooting, some parents who went to the school proudly picked up their honors cards at their children’s awards ceremony. They have to go back to school on the same day.
Amery Joe GarzaHe was one of the first children to be identified. Her grandmother, Berinda Irene Areola, told the British newspaper The Daily Beast that Amery had celebrated her 10th birthday just two weeks earlier and had been shot while trying to call police.
Her grandmother said Amery was a “very outgoing” and “teacher’s mouthpiece”.
“Please don’t wait for a second. Hug your family. Tell them you love them,” a family member of the child wrote on Facebook.
10 year old victim Xavier Xavier LopezHe was described by his 54-year-old cousin Lisa Garza as a happy child, a complete swimmer:
“He was a loving 10-year-old boy. He was living his life unaware of the tragedy waiting for him. He was very funny and loved to dance with his brother and his mother. His loss touched us all deeply.”
Another victimUzia Garcia He was 8 years old. “That was the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen,” recalls his grandfather Manny Renfro.
The last time Ranfro saw his grandson, the school was closed and they practiced football together. “He was so quick for a young kid that he was catching really good balls. I remember in some games he did exactly what we did in practice,” he said.
‘Worst of Nightmares’
44 years oldEva MirelessHe was the first teacher among the dead.
An expert in bilingual and specialized education, Mireless has been teaching fourth-year students at Uvalade for 17 years.
He said in a short biography published on the district website of the district where the school is located that he likes to run and walk. He added that he has a fun and loving family with his wife, college graduate daughter and “three hairy friends”.
According to media reports, Merleles’ wife, Ruben Ruiz, was a U.S. police officer. Ruiz reportedly conducted an active gun attack practice at Uvalade High School two months ago.
Mireless’s aunt Lydia Martinez DelgadoHe said in his Facebook post that he was “outraged” that the attack would continue.
His cousin, Christina Arizmendi Mirelez, used the phrase, “It’s unthinkable. It’s the worst of nightmares.”
The second teacher killed in the attack Irma GarciaHe was 46 years old and had served 23 years at Rob Primary School where the attack took place.
In 2019, he was nominated as the best teacher of the year in the area where he worked. Garcia and Mireless have 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 American media outlet NBC, Irma Garcia’s son said a friend of law enforcement officers at the scene saw his mother protecting her students during the attack.
“We lost my aunt, she sacrificed her life to save the kids in her class,” her nephew John said on social media:
“Her name is Irma Garcia and she died a hero. She was a favorite of many and will be very much missed.”
Others killed were later identified. After their deaths, full of pain and love, the following expressions were used:
- Eli GarciaHer father said his 10-year-old daughter was “very loving and the happiest girl in the world.”
- Fake Nicole Silguerro“High baby flight,” Veronica Luvanos’ mother said goodbye to her daughter on Facebook.
- Jess Carmelo Luvanos‘Judging by the photos shared by her family, she is thought to be Jaliya’s cousin. “I still can’t believe we won’t see you again,” his aunt, who confirmed that Jess was one of the victims, said on Facebook.
- In the fourth grade Mother Tess MarieHis sister, who gave him the name, described him as a “precious angel.”
- Nevah BravoVerifying his identity, his cousin said the little boy “flew in the sky” and told people to pray for Nevah.