As the school shooting in Texas claimed at least 19 children, distraught families gathered at local civic centers to grieve and plead for help. Two adults were also shot to death by the gunman, according to authorities.
The names of the victims of Tuesday’s attack on Robb Elementary School in Uvalde started to emerge at nightfall. One man walked out of the civic center, sobbing into his phone that “she was gone.” A woman stood on the backside, crying into her phone and shaking her fist, stamping her feet.
Manny Renfro stated that he received word Tuesday from Uziyah Garcia (8 years old) about the deaths.
Renfro described Renfro as “the sweetest little boy I’ve ever seen” He was my grandkid, and I’m not saying that lightly.
Renfro said Uziyah last visited him in San Angelo during spring break.
We started to throw the football together, and I was teaching him how to pass patterns. Renfro stated that Renfro was amazed at how fast Renfro could catch the ball. He would recall certain plays and do them exactly as we had practiced.
Eva Mireles (44), fourth-grade teacher, is remembered as a loving wife and mother.
She was courageous. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her. Amber Ybarra, a relative of 34 years old, said that she will be missed.
Ybarra was ready to offer blood for the injured and thought about how no one had noticed trouble with the shooter in the time that he needed to be stopped.
“It’s more about raising awareness of mental health,” stated Ybarra, a wellbeing coach who was at the elementary school where the shooting occurred. “It’s possible that someone could have witnessed a drastic change before something like this happened.”
Lisa Garza (54), Arlington, Texas, has mourned the loss of her cousin, Xavier Javier Lopez. Lopez had eagerly awaited a summer of swimming.
She said that he was a sweet, 10-year-old boy who was enjoying life and not knowing that tragedy would strike. He was very happy and loved to dance with his siblings, his mom. It has taken a toll for us all.
She also complained about the lax gun laws.
Garza stated that there should be more restrictions for children who aren’t in their right mind or want to hurt others, particularly innocent children, and they need to be kept out of schools.
Social media was filled with smiling pictures of children, many families asking for their information. The year was winding down and every school day had a theme. Tuesday’s theme was Footloose and Fancy. Students were required to wear nice clothes and fancy shoes.
Adolfo Cruz (a 69-year old air conditioner repairman) remained outside school Tuesday night to wait for word on Eliajha Cruz Torres (10-year-old great granddaughter), whose whereabouts were still unknown to his family.
After receiving a terrifying and tearful call from his daughter, Cruz drove to the scene shortly after hearing that an 18 year old gunman had attacked the school. He waited outside of the school on Tuesday night while his family waited at the hospital and civic centre for any word about her condition.
Cruz described the waiting as the most difficult moment in his life.
Cruz stated, “I hope she’s still alive.” “They’re waiting for an update.”
Federico Torres waited to hear about Rogelio, his 10-year-old boy. KHOU-TV told him that he was working when he heard about the shooting, and that he rushed to the school.
Torres stated, “They sent me to the hospital, the civic center, the hospital, and here again, nothing,” not even in San Antonio. “They don’t tell us anything. They only give us a picture, wait, and hope that all is well.”
Torres stated that he was praying for “my son to be found safe… If you have any information, please let us know.
Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home is located right across from Robb Elementary School. It posted on Tuesday evening that it would assist the families of the victims in an effort to provide funerals at no cost.
