After a teen gunman opened fire on a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, May 24, 19 young students and two adults were left dead. One of the adult victims was a fourth-grade teacher, Eva Mireles. She had worked in the school district for 17 years, according to her aunt, who confirmed Eva’s death in a statement. Eva was a mother and a wife, as well as a dog mom, her school bio confirmed.
The other teacher in the classroom was Irma Garcia. “She taught 4th grade and was in her 23rd year of teaching,” a tribute on Twitter read. “She died trying to protect her students. She was married for 24 years and had 4 children.”
Fourth grader Xavier Lopez, who was just ten years old, was also confirmed as another one of the shooting victims. Xavier’s cousin shared that the ten-year-old’s mother had seen him at a school awards ceremony just hours before he was killed. Xavier had received an honor roll award at the ceremony. His mother said that he was looking forward to middle school, and gushed over his smile. “That smile, I will never forget,” she said. “It would always cheer anyone up.”
A family member also identified fourth grader Amerie jo Garza as another victim of this senseless tragedy. “My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” Amerie jo’s father wrote on Facebook. “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo.”
The grandfather of 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia told CNN that his grandson left behind two sisters and was the “sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known.” He added, “I’m not just saying that because he was my grandkid.”
Jose Flores Jr., who was 10, loved video games and baseball, according to his father. “He was always full of energy,” Jose Flores Sr. told the outlet. “Ready to play till the night.”
In a Facebook post, Felix and Kimberly Rubio said their 10-year-old daughter Lexi made the All-A honor roll and received a good citizen award. “We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school. We had no idea this was goodbye.”
A heartbreaking Twitter thread dedicated to the victims began late Tuesday evening. The victims on the thread not already named here are Nevaeh Bravo, Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, Makenna Lee Elrod, Ellie Garcia, Tess Mata, Annabelle Guadalupe Rodriguez, Rogelio Torres, Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, Jailah Nicole Silguero, Miranda Mathis, Elijah Cruz Torres and Jose Flores.
The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, opened fire at Robb Elementary School and took the lives of the innocent children and adults on site in Uvalde, Texas. In addition to those who have been killed, there were also dozens left injured after the attack. The crime spree was eerily similar to the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre which left 26 dead. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families amid this senseless act of violence.
We will continue to update this post as more of the victims names are released.