Students and teachers identified as victims of Texas school shooting
One of the children killed in the Texas school massacre begged to “stay home with mumma” the day of the attack. WARNING: Distressing
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WARNING: Distressing
One of the children who was killed when a shooter opened fire on a Texas classroom had begged her mother to let her stay home from school that morning.
Jailah Silguero, 10, was among the 19 children and two adults who were killed when Salvador Ramos, 18, burst into the classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and started shooting.
Ramos was killed by a nearby lone Border Patrol agent who rushed to the school, despite not having backup
Jailah’s grandmother revealed she wanted to “stay home with mumma”, but because there was only two days left before holidays her mother told her to go.
“Jailah didn’t want to go to school yesterday,” Linda Gonzales told The Daily Beast.
“That’s what her mumma was really upset about last night: ‘If only I had let her stay home.’”
The young girl died alongside her cousin Jayce Luevanos.
This comes as it was revealed teachers Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia died while trying to shield students from the bullets as the attack unfolded.
Ms Garcia’s nephew, John Martinez, said his aunt “passed away with children in her arms trying to protect them”.
“Those weren’t just her students they were her kids as well,” he wrote on Twitter.
In a tribute to her mother, Ms Mireles daughter, Adalynn Ruiz, revealed she had jumped in front of students in a bid to protect them.
“I don’t know how to do this life without you, but I will take care of dad. I will take care of our dogs and I will forever say your name so you are always remembered, Eva Mireles, 4th grade teacher at Robb Elementary who selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives,” she wrote on Facebook.
Along with the 21 people who were killed, 15 others were taken to hospital, with most now being discharged.
Two 10-year-old girls remain in hospital in a serious condition, as does a 66-year-old woman. A nine-year-old girl is in hospital in a good condition, University Hospital San Antonio said.
Two police officers were wounded but did not sustain serious injuries.
Cousins Jayce Carmelo Luevanos and Jailah Nicole Silguero, 10
Jayce’s mum Veronica Luevanos confirmed both of their deaths in an emotional Facebook post.
“Fly high my angels. We’re going to miss yall so much,” she wrote, with a picture of them both. “I’m so heart broken.”
“My baby I love u so much … fly high baby girl.”
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Teacher Eva Mireles
Robb Elementary School teacher Eva has also been named as one of the victims in Salvador Ramos’ gun rampage.
Mireles was a fourth-grade teacher at the elementary school, which teaches children under 12. Her aunt, Lydia Martinez Delgado, shared photos of the woman on Facebook.
“(G) etting different stories from different news stations … and Governor so still waiting for all facts,” Martinez Delgado shared on Facebook.
“One thing that’s certain is that my beautiful niece did not survive this coward’s actions.”
Ms Delgado said she was “furious that these shootings continue”.
“These children are innocent. Rifles should not be easily available to all. This is my hometown, a small community of less than 20,000. I never imagined this would happen to especially loved ones … All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools, and especially the families of all,” Delgado said in a statement, per ABC.
Teacher Irma Garcia
Fourth-grade teacher Irma Garcia, who co-taught along the other teacher Eva Mireles killed in the shooting, was fatally shot in attack, her nephew said late Tuesday.
“My tia (aunt) did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers, IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO.
“She was loved by many and will truly be missed.”
According to a GoFundMe, Ms Garcia was a “wife and mother to four children”.
“She sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom. She was a hero. She was loved by many and will truly be missed,” the fundraiser’s organiser Steven Martinez wrote.
Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home has offered to assist all families at no cost for funerals for all the victims involved in the tragic shooting.
Amerie Jo Garza, 10
Amerie Jo Garza was dialling 911 when she was shot dead at the school, her grandmother, Berlinda Irene Arreola, told The Daily Beast.
“She died a hero trying to get help for her and her fellow classmates,” the heartbroken family member said.
Amerie Jo’s family had spent an agonising day attempting to contact their daughter with distraught stepfather, Angel Garza, posting a plea on Facebook.
“I don’t ask for much or hardly even post on here but please. It’s been 7 hours and I still haven’t heard anything on my love.
“Please fb help me find my daughter.”
He returned to Facebook three hours later with the devastating news.
“Thank you everyone for the prayers and help trying to find my baby. She’s been found.
“My little love is now flying high with the angels above.
“Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them.
“I will never be happy or complete again.”
Ms Arreola told The Beast the family were notified by Texas Rangers of her death and the details surrounding the incident.
“So the gunman went in and he told the children ‘You’re going to die.’ And she had her phone and she called 911. And instead of grabbing it and breaking it or taking it from her, he shot her. She was sitting right next to her best friend. Her best friend was covered in her blood.”
Xavier Javier Lopez, 10
Xavier Javier was the first child to have been identified by family as one of the victims of the massacre.
His cousin, Laura Mejia posted on Facebook following the attack asking for help locating the young boy as his family hadn’t been able to contact him.
She later posted an update confirming he had been found deceased.
“This world is so unfair an innocent child taken from us because of some dumb choice I’m so upset. Please pray for my family,” Ms Mejia wrote.
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10
Third-grader Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez’s father confirmed her death to local station KHOU 11.
He spent Tuesday afternoon looking for the 10-year-old before receiving devastating news late in the day.
Terrible update: Family members tell me officials have confirmed 10-year Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez was killed today. They say she was in 3rd grade and in the same classroom as her cousin. And they say her cousin was also killed today. @KHOU#Uvaldepic.twitter.com/FYuFQmEH5p
— Anayeli Ruiz KHOU (@AnayeliNews) May 25, 2022
Jackie Cazares, 10
Jackie, Annabell’s cousin, was also killed in the horrifying attack.
An aunt of both of the girls said her heart was “shattered”.
“Today my two beautiful nieces Jackie and Annabell were taken away from us too soon,” she said.
“Love you my babygirls. Till we meet again.”
Jose Flores Jr, 10
Fourth-grader Jose Flores Jr was confirmed dead by his father Jose Flores Sr.
His dad told CNN that Jose “was always full of energy” and “ready to play til the night”.
Jose, who has two younger brothers, loved basketball and playing video games.
Uziyah Garcia, 9
The broken family of Uziyah Garcia, 9, confirmed the boy was killed in the massacre.
“My nephew was a victim of a school shooting today,” Garcia’s uncle Mitch Renfro shared on Facebook.
“(He) was killed by a crazy man,” he added.
The boy’s grandfather Manny Renfro told the Associated Press that Garcia was “the sweetest little boy”.
Uziyah would have turned 10 this summer.
Makenna Lee Elrod, 10
Makenna Lee Elrod, 10, was also confirmed dead by a family friend late Tuesday night.
Her father, Brandon Elrod, revealed she had been missing since the shooting.
Brandon told KTRK he was “on the way to the funeral home” because “we can’t find my daughter.”
“It’s pretty sad what this world’s coming to,” he told the US TV network.
The parent of one of Makenna’s classmates said she was “shattered” at the news.
‘Sweet Makenna Rest in Paradise!! My heart is shattered as my daughter Chloe loved her so much!! ‘I’ll never forget how excited she was to meet a new friend from a different school!” “Just a few weeks ago she got a friendship bracelet from her at the ballpark and she wears it everyday! When she wakes up tomorrow she’s going to be devastated. Praying so hard for her sweet family!!!!’
Eliahana Torres
Student Eliahana Torres was confirmed as one of the victims on Facebook.
She was just 10 years old.
FOX LA reported the fourth grader’s family said she didn’t want to go to school on Tuesday.
“Her grandfather tells me she is missing, and they are worried sick. She didn’t want to go to school today, but they told her she has to. He is waiting for any news on her,” reporter Bill Melugin said.
She was later named as one of the victims.
Ellie Lugo
Student Ellie Lugo was another innocent victim in the shooting, her grieving parents have confirmed.
Steven Garcia and Jennifer Lugo confirmed their daughter was killed in a heartbreaking post to Facebook.
“It’s hard to issue out a statement on anything right now my mind is going at 1000 miles per hour … but I do wanna send our thoughts and prayers to those who also didn’t make it home tonight!!! Our Ellie was a doll and was the happiest ever,” her dad wrote.
“Mum and Dad love you never forget that and please try and stay by our side.”
Alithia Ramirez, 10
Alithia Ramirez was confirmed dead by her father, who posted a picture of her on Facebook with angel wings.
He had used the same photo while searching for her on Tuesday.
Tess Marie Mata, 10
Tess’ sister Faith Mata remembered the young girl as a “precious angel” who was “loved so deeply”.
“I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher then you could ever dream. Till we meet again Tess Marie, love your big sissy,” she wrote on Twitter.
My precious angel you are loved so deeply. In my eyes you are not a victim but a survivor. I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher then you could ever dream. Till we meet again Tess Marie, love your big sissy🤠pic.twitter.com/ziEAe6bsFE
— Faith Mata (@faithmataa) May 25, 2022
Nevaeh Bravo
Nevaeh’s cousin confirmed on social media that she had been one of the victims of the shooting, just hours after reaching out to the public for help locating the girl.
“Unfortunately my beautiful Nevaeh was one of the many victims from todays tragedy,” the cousin wrote.
“Thank you for the support and help,” she wrote. “Rest in peace my sweet girl, you didn’t deserve this.”
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, 10
Alexandria’s mum, Kimberly Mata-Rubio, wrote on Facebook shortly before midnight confirming her daughter had been killed in the school attack.
“My beautiful, smart, Alexandria Aniyah Rubio was recognised today for All-A honour roll,” she wrote.
“She also received the good citizen award. We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school. We had no idea this was goodbye.”
Maite Rodriguez, 10
Maite’s death was confirmed by her mother’s cousin, Felix Coronado, who delivered the news with a “heavy heart”.
“We are deeply saddened by the lose of this sweet smart little girl,” they said.
Relative Aiko Coronado also posted on Facebook, describing Maite’s “beautiful smile” and her mum’s best friend.
“She was beyond smart her dream was to attend Texas A & M University to become a marine biologist she knew what she wanted in life️,” she wrote.
“Her mum wants everyone to know that her baby girl had a dream. Fly high baby girl we love you!”
Layla Salazar, 10
Layla’s father, Vincent Salazar, said his daughter loved dancing to TikTok videos and singing along with him to Guns N’ Roses song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on the way to school each morning.
“She was just a whole lot of fun,” he told the Associated Press.
Rojelio Torres, 10
Rojelio’s aunt Precious Perez told KSAT that the whole family was “devastated and heartbroken”.
“Our entire family waited almost 12 hours since the shooting to find out Rojelio Torres, my 10-year-old nephew, was killed in this tragedy,” she said.
“Rojer was a very intelligent, hardworking and helpful person. He will be missed and never forgotten.”
May my beautiful angel rest in paradise I love you so much no matter how much I got after you, I wish one last time I could just see you and tell you I never meant to be so tough on you im so sorry Rojelio. I love you my angel and you will forever and ever be missed my angel.ðŸ™ðŸ¤ pic.twitter.com/L8cXUPhOjP
— ᘿáºá—© (@EvaaaHdz) May 25, 2022
Miranda Mathis, 11
Miranda’s cousin, Deanna Miller, revealed her whole family had been searching for her following the shooting, revealing the next day that the young girl had died in the attack.
“My sweet baby cousin we loved u dearly,” she wrote on Facebook.
Lone shooter’s horror rampage
Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez, speaking to CNN, confirmed the latest death toll after speaking to Texas Rangers.
Ramos, who was reportedly killed by responding officers, is not counted among the 21 fatalities. His motive remains unknown.
Gutierrez also told CNN that Ramos purchased the two weapons used in the attack on his 18th birthday in the Uvalde area.
The state senator also confirmed that Ramos shot his grandmother before heading to the elementary school, but that she is “still hanging on.”
The shooter barricaded himself into a classroom before opening fire on children and teachers inside, an official revealed.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department for Public Safety, told CNN that all of the fatalities and injuries took place in the one room.
“Just goes to show you the complete evil from this shooter,” Lt. Olivarez said.
“It was a classroom setting, a typical classroom setting where you have mass groups of children inside that classroom all together, with nowhere to go.”
Fifteen other people were taken to hospital and most have been discharged.
Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo said all the deceased and injured students are in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, between the ages of eight and 11.
“The suspect did act alone during this heinous crime,” he said.
Worst school massacre since Sandy Hook
The shooting is the worst elementary school massacre since Sandy Hook in 2012.
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting left 17 teens dead and 17 others injured after suspected gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire at students and staff on Valentine’s Day in 2018.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and will continue to receive updates on the incident.
“President Biden has been briefed on the horrific news of the elementary school shooting in Texas and will continue to be briefed regularly as information becomes available,” she said in a statement.
“His prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event, and he will speak this evening when he arrives back at the White House.”
Police first said a heavy law enforcement presence responded to the scene but failed to elaborate.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin initially told Fox News that the shooting took place off-campus, but the shooter ran into the school and barricaded himself inside.
“There is an active shooter at Robb Elementary. Law enforcement is on site.” Robb Elementary tweeted shortly after noon local time.
“Your co-operation is needed at this time by not visiting the campus.”
Parts of this article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.
Originally published as Students and teachers identified as victims of Texas school shooting
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