ANGELS LOST TO VIOLENCE
Nightmare for loved ones and a sobering moment for America
Twenty-one lives were stolen Tuesday in Texas, ripped from their parents, their siblings, their spouses. They were 19 children thinking about softball games and summer vacation, two teachers who had poured their hearts and souls into their work and died trying to protect their students.
Here is who they were:
EVA MIRELES, 44
The fourth-grade teacher and 17-year classroom veteran “selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives,” her daughter, Adalynn, said.
“Mom, I have no words to describe how I feel right now, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life. I never thought that I would be here writing this type of post for you. Mom, you are a hero. I keep telling myself that this isn’t real. I just want to hear your voice,” Adalynn wrote on Facebook.
“I want you to come back to me, mom. I miss you more than words can explain.”
Mireles’ husband, Ruben Ruiz, is an officer with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District’s police force, according to her school bio.
IRMA GARCIA, 48
Garcia was in her 23rd year of teaching and her fifth as a co-teacher with Mireles when she was killed. She loved to barbecue with her husband, listen to music and take country cruises, according to her school bio. Her husband of 24 years, Joe Garcia, died days later “due to grief,” according to relatives.
“She sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom,” her nephew tweeted. “She died a HERO. She was loved by many and will truly be missed.”
UZIYAH GARCIA, 8
Uziyah, who would have turned 9 this summer, was “the sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known,” his grandfather Manny Renfro told reporters. “He was the type of kid (who)... could get interested in anything in five minutes. Just the perfect kid, as far as I’m concerned.”
XAVIER LOPEZ, 10
Xavier was celebrated at an honor roll ceremony hours before the shooting. “He was funny, never serious, “his mother, Felicha Martinez, told the Washington Post. “That smile I will never forget. It would always cheer anyone up.”
ALEXANDRIA ANIYAH RUBIO, 10
Alexandria’s parents were on hand at the honor roll celebration early Tuesday morning. “My sweet Lexi. Love of my life. Keeper of my soul. I carried you inside me. I’m you. You are me. I want to be with you. Now. Not later,” her mother wrote on Facebook.
ALITHIA RAMIREZ, 10
Alithia loved drawing, her father told KSAT, and wanted to be an artist when she grew up. “This little angel was taken from them,” a relative wrote on GoFundMe.
AMERIE JO GARZA, 10
Amerie Jo, who was wildly protective over her 3-year-old brother Zayne, was fatally shot while trying to call 911. “My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” her 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. Watch over your baby brother for me.”
ANNABELLE GUADALUPE RODRIGUEZ, 10
Annabelle and her cousin, Jackie Cazares, were both killed in their classroom. “Why God why these sweet babies who didn’t deserve this who were all happy for summer vacation,” her sister wrote on Facebook. “Now they’re dancing up in the sky watching over us.”
JACKIE CAZARES, 10
Jackie and her cousin, Annabell Rodriguez, died together Tuesday. “We’re devastated in ways, I hope no one ever goes (through). Taken out of arms and lives, in this freaking cowardly way, so young, so innocent, full of life and love. It hurts us to our souls,” her father wrote on Facebook. “Baby girl we all love you with all our hearts. Rest in peace, my Baby girl.”
ELIAHANA CRUZ TORRES, 10
Eliahana was preparing for her last softball game of the season. “She was kind of nervous, saying that it was her last game and she didn’t want softball to end,” her aunt told KENS 5. “And she was excited because there were going to, I guess, announce the ones that made it to all-stars. And she was also saying, ‘what if I make it? I’m going to be so nervous.’ And I was like, ‘girl you got this. You’re going to be good at it. You got this.’ So she was excited.”
ELLY GARCIA, 9
Elly, who would have turned 10 next week, was a cheerleader who dreamed of becoming a teacher. “Eliahna was such a sweet girl with a lovely and beautiful soul. She would light up everyone’s world with big smiles & big hugs,” her mother wrote on a GoFundMe.
JAILAH NICOLE SILGUERO, 10
Jailah was her mom’s “sidekick,” killed alongside her cousin, Jayce Luevanos. “We miss you so much mama,” her mother wrote on Facebook. “R.I.P my beautiful angel. Fly high, baby. Can’t wait to see (you) again.”
JAYCE LUEVANOS, 10
“My babies, going to miss them like crazy!!!” Jayce’s uncle wrote on Facebook. “We (love) y’all so much!!! I’m just lost right now!!! Fly high my beautiful Angels!!
JOSE FLORES JR., 10
Jose was “full of energy, ready to play till the night,” his father told CNN. He was among the students celebrated for getting on the honor roll Tuesday.
LAYLA SALAZAR, 10
Layla was the “princess” of the family and a speedster who loved the races at field day. “If people knew how much we truly miss our daughter, they would wonder how we’re still breathing...she will live within the beat of my heart forever,” her father wrote on a GoFundMe.
MAKENNA LEE ELROD, 10
Makenna made friends everywhere she went, giving friendship bracelets to those closest to her. “She was beautiful, funny, smart, and amazing. She had the biggest heart and loved her family and friends so much. Her smile would light up a room. We will carry her in our hearts and we know she is with our Lord and Savior,” her aunt wrote on a GoFundMe.
ROGELIO TORRES, 10
Rogelio was a “very smart and loving child,” his mother told ABC News. “I lost a piece of my heart.”
MIRANDA MATHIS, 11
“My sweet baby cousin, we loved (you) dearly,” Deanna Miller wrote on Facebook. “I’m so sorry this happen to (you) baby”
MAITE RODRIGUEZ
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this sweet smart little girl,” her cousin wrote on a GoFundMe.
NEVAEH BRAVO
“She is flying with the angels above,” her cousin wrote on Facebook. “We love you Nevaeh very much princess!”
TESS MARIE MATA
Tess played softball with her sister and ganged up with her against their parents.
“I honestly have no words just sadness, confusion, and anger,” her sister wrote on Facebook. “Sissy I miss you so much, I just want to hold you and tell you how pretty you are, I want to take you outside and practice softball, I want to go on one last family vacation, I want to hear your contagious laugh, and I want you to hear me tell you how much I love you. Tessy, mom, dad, and I won’t be the same without you but we are comforted knowing you are waiting for us up in heaven and have a spot for us. We have one sassy guardian angel that I know is going to protect our family.”