By Maggie Prosser, Jamie Landers and Kelli Smith
Families and a rallying community were mourning Wednesday after a gunman killed 21 people — including 19 children — at a Uvalde elementary school.
Tuesday’s attack at the roughly 600-student Robb Elementary School marks the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.
The two teachers killed co-taught for five years. The children, members of the same fourth-grade class, were in their last week of school. Tuesday was awards day, and the students were encouraged to wear a nice outfit and fun shoes as part of a “footloose and fancy” theme.
One boy looked forward to a summer of swimming. One girl loved tumbling. Another dreamed of becoming an artist. At least two sets of cousins were in the class.
Eva Mireles
A relative remembered 44-year-old Eva Mireles as a loving mother and wife. Mireles was a fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary School.
According to her biography on the school’s website, Mireles was an educator for 17 years. Her family included a school district police officer, her daughter and three “furry friends.” Mireles enjoyed running and hiking.
Mireles’ daughter, Adalynn, posted on Twitter early Wednesday: “I will forever say your name, Eva Mireles, 4th grade teacher at Robb Elementary who selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives. My heart will forever be broken. My bestfriend, my twin, was taken from me.”
“She was adventurous. I would definitely say those wonderful things about her. She is definitely going to be very missed,” said relative Amber Ybarra, 34, of San Antonio.
Ybarra prepared to give blood for the wounded and pondered how no one noticed trouble with the shooter in time to stop him.
“To me, it’s more about raising mental health awareness,” Ybarra, who also attended Robb Elementary School, said. “Someone could possibly have seen a dramatic change before something like this happened.”
Irma Garcia
Irma Garcia, a fourth-grade teacher, was also killed in the gunfire, her son told NBC News. The San Antonio Express-News said she was 49.
Garcia was in her 23rd year of teaching at Robb, according to her biography on the school’s website.
In 2019, Garcia was named a finalist for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching, awarded to exceptional teachers in the San Antonio area by Trinity University.
A GoFundMe page set up for her family and funeral expenses described the longtime educator and mother of four as “sweet, kind, loving.” The GoFundMe raised more than $30,000 in less than 12 hours.
“She sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom,” the donation page says. “She was a hero. She was loved by many and will truly be missed.”
Uziyah Garcia
Manny Renfro said his grandson Uziyah Garcia, 8, was among those killed. There are varying reports of Uziyah’s age; the Express-News reported he was 9.
“The sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known,” Renfro said. “I’m not just saying that because he was my grandkid.”
Renfro said Uziyah last visited him in San Angelo during spring break.
“We started throwing the football together, and I was teaching him pass patterns. Such a fast little boy and he could catch a ball so good,” Renfro said. “There were certain plays that I would call that he would remember and he would do it exactly like we practiced.”
Xavier Javier Lopez
Xavier Javier Lopez had been eagerly awaiting a summer of swimming, his cousin, 54-year-old Lisa Garza of Arlington said.
“He was just a loving 10-year-old little boy, just enjoying life, not knowing that this tragedy was going to happen today,” Garza said. “He was very bubbly, loved to dance with his brothers, his mom. This has just taken a toll on all of us.”
Garza lamented what she described as lax gun laws.
“We should have more restrictions, especially if these kids are not in their right state of mind and all they want to do is just hurt people, especially innocent children going to the schools,” she said.
Amerie Jo Garza
Amerie Jo Garza, 10, was photographed Tuesday morning holding an “A and B” honor roll certificate she received hours before she died.
Her grandmother, Berlinda Irene Arreola, toldThe Daily Beast that Amerie “was shot and killed for trying to call 911; she died a hero trying to get help for her and her fellow classmates.”
Amerie, she said, was “super-outgoing” and a “teacher’s pet” who liked doing well in school.
“My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” her father, Angel Garza, wrote on Facebook. “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo. Watch over your baby brother for me.”
“I will never be happy or complete again,” he added Wednesday morning.
Rojelio Torres
Federico Torres, the father of 10-year-old Rojelio Torres, told a KHOU-TV reporter he was sent back and forth across Uvalde as he tried to find answers Tuesday about his son.
“They sent us to the hospital, to the civic center, to the hospital and here again, nothing, not even in San Antonio,” Torres said. “They don’t tell us anything, only a photo, wait, hope that everything is well.”
But after almost 12 hours, Precious Perez, Rojelio’s aunt, said the family found out Rojelio had been killed.
“We are devastated and heartbroken,” Perez said. “Rojer was a very intelligent, hard-working and helpful person. He will be missed and never forgotten.”
In a family photo, Rojelio is wearing a red Robb Elementary T-shirt that reads “difference maker.”
Jacklyn “Jackie” Cazares
Polly Flores told ABC News her 10-year-old nieces, Jackie Cazares and Annabelle Rodriguez, were among those killed.
Jackie’s father, Jacinto Cazares, wrote on Facebook early Wednesday: “My baby girl has been taken away from my family and I. … Taken out of arms and lives, in this freaking cowardly way, so young, so innocent, full of life and love. It hurts us to our souls.”
Annabelle Rodriguez
Annabelle Rodriguez was in the same fourth grade class as her cousin Jackie, ABC News reported.
A photo of Annabelle posted on social media showed her holding an honor roll and music certificate.
“Why god why these sweet babies who didn’t deserve this, (they) were all happy for summer vacation,” her older sister Lidia Anthony Luna wrote on Facebook.
Jaliah Nicole Silguero
Jaliah Nicole Silguero, 11, didn’t want to go to classes Tuesday, although she normally liked school, her mother Veronica Luevanos told Univision. She said Jaliah had asked her dad if she could stay in the house.
“I think she knew something was going to happen,” Veronica Luevanos said in Spanish between sobs.
A photo of Jaliah circulating online shows her smiling at the camera with large square glasses and a brown braid falling over one shoulder. The words “Game day” were scrawled across the top of the photo with a basketball emoji.
Another photo shared online by her mother showed the 11-year-old in a black “Turkey Trot 2021″ t-shirt. She was holding up a medal with a small smile as she looked into the camera.
“I’m heartbroken, my baby I love you so much,” her mother wrote in a Facebook post. “don’t ever forget [to] watch over me daddy and your sisters and big bro. fly high baby girl.”
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10, was Jaliah’s cousin, according to family members.
A few hours after the shooting, family members shared photos of Jaliah and Jayce on Facebook with pleas for help finding them.Veronica Luevanos posted a collage of two side-by-side photos of Jaliah and Jayce with the caption “Fly high my angels. We’re going to miss yall so much.”
She later told Univision that her family was taking the news hard. A GoFundMe organized for Jayce’s parents said relatives “need as much help as possible in these terrible times.” It had raised more than $6,000 in four hours.
“Please help us put sweet Jayce to rest,” it was titled.
Makenna Lee Elrod
Makenna Lee Elrod, 10, loved tumbling, and in a photo she wore a bright pink cheer uniform, with a matching pink bow around her long blonde ponytail.
Pilar Newberry, whose daughter, Chloe, was in a tumbling class with Makenna, said the two girls were excited about becoming friends. They recently gave each other friendship bracelets.
“Sweet Makenna Rest in Paradise!!” Newberry wrote on Facebook. “My heart is shattered as my daughter Chloe loved her so much!!”
My baby sister has finally been found in a classroom…thank you for everyone sending their love to my family and I 🤍 All I ask is that you hug your loved ones tonight and tell them you love them, you never know when you won’t have the chance to anymore#EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/1dKuIwdav7— kadence elizabeth (@kkadence_) May 25, 2022
Her father, Brandon Elrod, told KTRK-TV Tuesday afternoon he had been waiting for hours and feared “she may not be alive.”
“It’s pretty sad what this world’s coming to,” he said.
Alithia Ramirez
Alithia Ramirez turned 10 at the end of April. Her father, Ryan Ramirez, posted a photo of her online April 28 with the caption “Happy Birthday to my baby. 10!!!!!”
In the photo, she’s wearing jean shorts and a tie dye t-shirt with the words “Peace out Single Digits #I’m10.” She had her hands behind her back as she smiled up at the camera. A pink “Birthday Girl” ribbon is attached to the bottom of her shorts.
Her father shared that same photo online Tuesday evening while asking for help. “Trying to find my daughter Alithia,” he wrote. “I Called all the hospitals and nothing.”
“I’m just confused and worried and I’m trying to find out where my baby’s at,” Ramirez told KTRK-TV (ABC13), adding that Alithia was in the fourth grade.
Wednesday morning, he changed his Facebook profile picture to the same photo of her in the birthday shirt, but there were photoshopped angel wings behind Alithia’s back. KSAT 12 reported that she loved to draw and had wanted to be an artist.
Ellie Garcia
Wednesday afternoon, 10-year-old Ellie Garcia’s father, Steven Garcia, posted photos of his daughter grinning in a basketball jersey, #21, and holding a basketball and trophy: “The happiest day of her life…,” the post said.
Ellie’s last name has also been reported as Lugo.
Steven Garcia also posted a TikTok video of Ellie talking about God. In the video, she said, “Jesus, he died for us, so when we die we’ll be up there with Him.”
Her father said of his daughter, “Our Ellie was a doll and was the happiest ever.”
”She was very happy and very outgoing,” her aunt Siria Arizmendi said Wednesday. “She loved to dance and play sports. She was big into family, enjoyed being with the family.”
Just after midnight Wednesday, as thunderstorms battered most of the state, Steven Garcia took to Facebook to say: “The rain shows me you made it…. Home!!! I love you forever baby!!!”
Arizmendi also spoke angrily, through tears, about how the shooter managed to get a gun.
“It’s just difficult to understand or to put into words,” she said. “I just don’t know how people can sell that type of a gun to a kid 18 years old. What is he going to use it for but for that purpose?”
The Hillsboro Sports Association announced on Facebook it would be accepting donations for the family. The sports association is also donating $2,500, according to the post.
Miranda Mathis
Miranda Mathis’ family had searched for her for hours before her cousin confirmed her death on Facebook. The 11-year-old is seen in a photo shared online in a pink shirt with wide blue eyes and a closed-mouth smile.
“My sweet baby cousin we loved u dearly I’m so sorry this happen to u baby please keep my family in your prayers,” Deanna Miller wrote.
Tess Marie Mata
Tess Marie Mata, 10, used to practice softball outside with her older sister, Faith. She was sassy and the two used to “tag team on mom and dad,” Faith Mata wrote in a Facebook post addressed to her sister.
“Sissy I miss you so much,” Faith Mata said. “I just want to hold you and tell you how pretty you are, I want to take you outside and practice softball, I want to go on one last family vacation, I want to hear your contagious laugh, and I want you to hear me tell you how much I love you.
“Tessy mom, dad, and I won’t be the same without you but we are comforted knowing you are waiting for us up in heaven and have a spot for us.”
The post included multiple photos of Tess Marie, one of which showed her smiling in front of a giant red heart painted on a cream wall, her face framed by clear glasses. Her long brown hair fell past her shoulders. Others showed her posing with family and her sister behind a giant “Texas State University” ring and in front of balloons. Another showed her lying back on a bed with a large pink plushie next to her head as she slept.
Her sister wrote on Twitter that Tess Marie was a precious angel who was loved deeply.
“In my eyes you are not a victim but a survivor,” Faith said. “I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher then you could ever dream.”
Jose Flores
Jose Flores, 10, received an award for making the honor roll just hours before the shooting, his uncle Christopher Salazar told The Washington Post. Salazar shared a photo with the newspaper of the smiling fourth-grader holding up his certificate.
“He was a very happy little boy,” Salazar said. “He loved both his parents … and loved to laugh and have fun.”
Salazar added: He “was very smart.”
Nevaeh Bravo
Nevaeh Bravo’s cousin wrote late Tuesday on Facebook that the 4th-grader was “flying with the angels above.” Hours earlier, she’d posted online asking for any updates on Bravo’s whereabouts and attached a photo of the smiling 10-year-old in a blue blouse.
“We love you Nevaeh very much princess,” Emily Grace Ayala wrote. “Please everyone continue to keep her parents and our family in your prayers.”
Austin Ayala, another cousin, told The Washington Post that loved ones were trying to understand why someone would kill a girl who ”put a smile on everyone’s faces.”
Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubio
Lexi Rubio, 10, received an all-A honor roll certificate and a “good citizen” award Tuesday.
“We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school,” her mother, Kimberly Mata-Rubio, wrote on Facebook. “We had no idea this was goodbye.”
Her cousin, Briana Mata, organized a GoFundMe for the family. Mata called Lexi her “little all star.” She played softball.
“She was such a bright light in everyone’s life and was a badass ball player,” Mata wrote. “You left this world way too soon, and you will forever be missed. We shared the love of the game ,and I will forever miss my biggest fan.”
Her coach, Kylie Rae, tweeted Tuesday night Lexi “lost her life today before it even started.”
“My short stop,” she wrote. “Lexi you and your smile will be truly missed. Keep swinging for the fences baby girl.”
Maite Yuleana Rodriguez
A picture of Maite circulating social media showed her posing for a photo holding an honor roll and “‘Paw’-Some” certificate. The Express-News reported she was 10.
In a GoFundMe organized for her parents, a cousin of Maite’s mother said it was “with a heavy heart” they announced the death of “this sweet, smart little girl.” The donation fund featured a picture of Maite smiling in a red plaid dress.
“Maite Rodriguez we love you.”
Eliahana “Elijah” Cruz Torres
Elijah Cruz Torres, 10, was supposed to play her last softball game of the season Tuesday.
“She was very excited about her softball game today. She was kind of nervous,” her aunt posted on a Facebook page called Softball is for Girls. “I talked to her last night and she was kind of nervous.”
The girls who made the All-Star Team were supposed to be announced, and Elijah was wondering if she made it.
Her great-grandfather, 69-year-old Adolfo Cruz, told ABC News she was a “beautiful young girl with a lot of energy.”
Layla Salazar
Layla Salazar, 10, loved to swim and dance to videos on TikTok, her father, Vincent Salazar said.
She won six races at the school’s field day, and Salazar posted a photo of Layla showing off two blue ribbons on Facebook.
Each morning when he drove her to school, Salazar posted he and Layla would “jam” to “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘n’ Roses. She was looking forward to seeing the new Marvel movie, Thor: Love and Thunder.
“Yesterday we lost our heart (and) our whole world,” he wrote. “We Love you Baby girl Daddy is sorry I wasn’t there to protect you when you needed me the most we Love you so much fly high my little angel fly high…”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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