Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Karen Williams & Rachel Hagan & Michael Marsh

Texas school shooting victims: Heroic teacher Eva Mireles among those killed in rampage

These are just some of the innocent faces of those killed by a crazed gunman who opened fire at a US school.

Shooter Salvador Ramos massacred 19 children and two teachers when he marched into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. All of those killed were in one classroom, a state public safety official said.

Four boys and six girls have already been identified among the victims as devastated relatives said: "Hug your family."

Ramos, described as anti-social and distant by those who knew him, is understood to have been shot by police following his rampage on Tuesday, in which he first shot his grandmother before heading to the school.

Ten-year-old student Xavier Lopez was one of the first victims to be named and was identified by his heartbroken family, reports the Mirror UK.

His mother had reportedly attended an awards ceremony for him only hours before the shooting, not knowing this was the last time she would ever see her young child, his cousin told ABC. A GoFundMe which is reportedly linked to the family has been set up and raised over £35,000.

Nine-year-old Uziyah Garcia was another tragic victim and was in the fourth grade. He would have turned 10 this summer, his family said.

His aunt, Nikki Cross, confirmed his death to NBC 5 and shared his photo online, mourning his tragic passing.

Uziyah's uncle, Mitch Renfro, wrote on Facebook that: “My nephew was a victim of a school shooting today.” He added he “was killed by a crazy man".

Alongside the two young boys, Amerie Jo Garza was confirmed to have been killed in the sickening attack, ABC News reported. Her father, Angel Garza, told the outlet that his daughter had turned 10 just two weeks ago.

In a statement released by ABC News, he wrote: "Thank you, everyone, for the prayers and help to try 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 love you Amerie Jo. Watch over your baby brother for me."

Eliahana 'Elijah Cruz' Torres, 10, was also identified among the dead.

On the day of the shooting, she had said she didn't want to go to school, her grandfather said, but she was told she had to by her family, Fox News reported.

Makenna Lee Elrod was also confirmed dead by family late last night. The 10-year-old's dad, Brandon Elrod, revealed she had been missing since the shooting and said he feared "she may not be alive".

He told KTRK he was on his way to the funeral home and later, a family friend confirmed her death on Facebook, writing: "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 every day!

"When she wakes up tomorrow she’s going to be devastated. Praying so hard for her sweet family!"

Steven Garcia and Jennifer Lugo confirmed the heartbreaking news that their daughter, Ellie, was also killed in Tuesday's massacre after she hadn't been seen for several hours.

In a Facebook post, dad Steve wrote: "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. Mom and Dad love you never forget that and please try and stay by our side."

Jose Flores, 10, was a fourth-grader also identified as a victim of the Robb Elementary School shooting.

His uncle, Christopher Salazar, confirmed his nephew’s death and said the youngster loved to play baseball. Mr Salazar said Jose was a very happy boy who loved both his parents, to laugh and have fun.

He said his nephew, who had two brothers and a sister, “loved going to school" and just hours before the brutal attack, Jose received a school award.

Another victim of the shooting has been named as Nevaeh Bravo. Her cousin, Emily Grace Ayala, wrote on Facebook: "We love you Nevaeh very much, princess! Please everyone continue to keep her parents and our family in your prayers."

A sixth girl, 10-year-old Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, has been identified. Annabell was a third-grader and was in the same classroom as her cousin who was also killed.

Another boy, Rojelio Torres, was announced dead by his cousin.

She wrote on Twitter: "Thank you for the prayers and for trying to help find my cousin, it breaks my heart to say my Rojelio is now with the angels I’ll forever miss you and love you my angel."

As well as the 10 youngsters confirmed to have died, Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher who had been at the school for around five years, was killed in the shooting reportedly trying to protect pupils. Her aunt Lydia Martinez Delgado confirmed the death to ABC News.

Ms Delgado said: "I'm 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 to loved ones. All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools and especially the families of all."

Mrs Mireles was married to Ruben Ruiz, a 43-year-old cop at the local police department, with the couple parents to a college-age daughter.

In her Robb Elementary School profile, she described herself as an active runner, hiker and, sometimes, biker. A second teacher, Irma Garcia, was identified by heartbroken family members and friends as another victim of the shooting.

The 46-year-old co-teacher had spent 23 years teaching, and had been nominated as a teacher of the year by the Uvalde Independent School District in 2019.

CNN News has reported that families are undertaking DNA samples so the authorities can identify more children.

There have been a number of reports online and on social media about the potential identities of other victims, but no others have so far been confirmed by their families or the authorities.

Ramos shared pictures of the guns he bought only days ago on his Instagram before he attacked the school.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.