The first victim identified is teacher Eva Mireles. The 43-year-old woman has been teaching the fourth grade of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde for 17 years. She was married to Ruben Ruiz, a police officer. The couple had one daughter, Adalynn, who recently graduated from college. Mireles described herself on social media as an animal lover, and had three dogs: Callie, Kane and Koda. Her hobbies were running, walking and cycling. Mireles taught fourth grade students, comparable to group 6 in Dutch primary schools.
An aunt of Mireles wrote on social media about her anger: “I am furious that these shootings continue,” said Lydia Martínez Delgado.
Eva Mireles leaves a daughter.
The second adult to die is Irma Garcia. She taught fourth grade together with Mireles. The mother of four has worked at the school for 23 years, and was nominated as one of the best teachers in the United States in 2019. “My aunt didn’t make it: she sacrificed herself to protect the children in her class,” her cousin John wrote on social media. “I beg you to keep my family in your prayers: Her name is Irma Garcia and she died a HERO. She was loved by many and will be truly missed.”
Children
Numerous reports of missing children are circulating on social media, but so far only the identities of nine deceased children have been confirmed by their families: Eliahana Torres (10), Makenna Elrod (10), Xavier Lopez (10), Nevaeh Bravo, Uziyah Garcia ( 10), Rojelio Torres (10), Jose Flores (10), Amerie Jo Garza (10) and Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez (10).
Amerie Jo Garza (10)
“My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” Angel Garza, father of 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, wrote on social media. “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you, Amerie Jo. Watch over your little brother for me.”
Jose Flores (10)
Jose Flores (10) loved baseball, according to his uncle Christopher Salazar. “He was a happy boy,” it sounds. “He adored his parents. He laughed a lot, and liked to have fun. He was a sensible boy who liked going to school.”
Xavier Lopez (10)
Xavier Lopez’s mother, according to a relative, was at the school just hours before her son’s death, and was the last time she saw the 10-year-old alive. “Xavier loved to joke and to dance, especially the cumbia. Always joking, never serious. And then his smile…”, said mother Felicha Martinez. “I will never forget that smile. It could cheer anyone up.”
According to his mother, the boy was also sporty: he liked to play American football and baseball. He was also interested in art. “He loved any activity that allowed him to be creative, especially drawing,” his mother said.
Eliahana Torres (10)
According to her grandfather, Eliahana Torres actually did not want to go to school on Tuesday, but her parents had to go anyway.
Makenna Elrod (10)
Nevaeh Bravo (10)
“Unfortunately, my beautiful Nevaeh was one of the many victims in the tragedy today,” her niece wrote on social media. “Rest in peace, my sweet girl. You didn’t deserve this.”
Uziyah Garcia (10)
“The sweetest little boy I’ve ever known,” Uziyah Garcia is described by his grandfather. „We liked to play together american football†
Rojelio Torres (10)
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez (10)
injured
There were also injuries at the school in the town of Uvalde, about 80 miles west of San Antonio. The University Hospital in San Antonio reported on Twitter shortly after the shooting that it had admitted two victims with gunshot wounds. Both patients, a 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl, were in critical condition. Two of the officers approaching the shooting were also hit by gunfire, although their injuries were not serious, according to the governor.
A 66-year-old woman was shot and killed in her apartment in Uvalde just before the massacre at the school, a Texas Department of Public Security official said. She is believed to be the grandmother of the gunman, who is believed to have shot her. However, whether there is a connection between the shooting in the apartment and the shooting at the school is still under investigation, reports The New York Times.
In an initial response, Governor Greg Abbott spoke of a horrific and incomprehensible act.