Remembering The Innocent Lives Lost In The Uvalde School Shooting

On May 24, just 10 days after a mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, an 18-year-old gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and fatally shot 19 children and two adults.

Parents waited late into Tuesday night at a civic center to learn whether their children had survived, with some giving DNA to help authorities identify victims, CNN reported.

The students were set to start summer break two days later and were reportedly celebrating “Footloose and Fancy” theme day at school, in which they were encouraged to dress nice and wear fancy shoes.

To help the families affected by Tuesday’s tragedy, you can donate through verified fundraisers, volunteer to assist with legal help, and donate blood.

Learn more about some of the innocent lives lost during the shooting at Robb Elementary.

Nevaeh Bravo

Nevaeh Bravo had just turned 10 years old in January. After the shooting, her cousin posted on Twitter asking for help locating her. Hours later, she wrote: “Unfortunately my beautiful Nevaeh was one of the many victims from today's tragedy.”

Jackie Cazares

Jackie Cazares had her first communion two weeks before the shooting. Her aunt, Polly Flores, said: “She was outgoing; she always had to be the center of attention. She was my little diva.” Her cousin, Annabell Guadelupe Rodriguez, was also a victim of the mass shooting.

Flores shared that the loss of the cousins is “devastating” for their tight family.

Makenna Lee Elrod

A 4th grader at Robb Elementary, Makenna loved tumbling and had recently given a friendship bracelet to a friend. Her aunt wrote on a GoFundMe page that “Her smile would light up a room. We will carry her in our hearts and we know she is with our Lord and Savior."

Jose Flores

Hours before the shooting 10-year-old Jose Flores also received an award for making the honor roll. His uncle, Christopher Salazar, described Jose as a smart boy who loved baseball and going to school.

Eliana “Ellie” Garcia

The family of Ellie Garcia, 10, spent Tuesday afternoon checking the hospital and the Uvalde community looking for their daughter. They learned she had passed away later that evening. As the second oldest of five girls, Ellie was always singing and dancing with her sisters. Her great aunt shared that Ellie also loved sports, especially basketball.

Irma Garcia

Irma Garcia, 48, a mother of four and fourth grade teacher at Robb Elementary, also died trying to protect her students from the gunman, her nephew John Martinez confirmed on Twitter. She had been a teacher for 23 years. Her family described her as “Sweet, kind, loving. Fun with the greatest personality.” Her family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for her funeral expenses.

In an even more heartbreaking turn of events, Joe Garcia, Irma’s husband, died of a heart attack two days after her death. They leave behind two daughters and two sons. The family says he died of a “broken heart.”

Uziyah Garcia

8-year-old Uziyah Garcia was among those killed in the shooting, his grandfather Manny Renfro shared with the Associated Press. Renfro said that Uziyah was “the sweetest little boy I’ve ever known. I'm not just saying that because he was my grandkid."

Amerie Jo Garza

Amerie Jo Garza had just turned 10 years old on May 10, two weeks before the shooting. Her father, Alfred Garza III, said she was “full of life, a jokester, always smiling” and talked to everybody.

Her grandmother, Berlinda Irene Arreola, told the Daily Beast that Amerie was fatally shot while dialing 911.

Xavier Lopez

10-year-old Xavier Lopez’s mother, Felicha Martinez, had been at an honor roll ceremony at the school just hours before, not knowing it was the last time she would see her son. Martinez told The Washington Post her son was funny, giggly, and “never one to shy away from the camera”. He loved to be creative and draw.

His family has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.

Jayce Luevanos

Jayce Luevanos, 10, was cousins with Jailah Silguero and also killed in the shooting. "They were nothing but loving baby angels, always had a smile on their face just full of life," their cousin said in a statement to ABC News. "I can't believe this happened to our angels."

Tess Marie Mata

10-year-old Tess Marie was a fan of TikTok dances and Ariana Grande. She was also saving for a trip to Disney World with her family. Her sister, Faith Mata, posted a tribute to Twitter that reads: "My precious angel you are loved so deeply. In my eyes you are not a victim but a survivor. I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher then you could ever dream,"

Miranda Mathis

Hours after the shooting, 11-year-old Miranda Mathis’s family found out that she was a victim of the tragedy. Her cousin Deanna Miller wrote on Facebook, “My sweet baby cousin we loved u dearly I'm so sorry this happen to u baby please keep my family in your prayers."

Eva Mireles

Eva Mireles, 44, was a fourth grade teacher at Robb Elementary and had been an educator in the school district for 17 years. Her aunt, Lydia Martinez Delgado, shared with CNN that she was among those killed during the shooting. Outside of teaching, Mireles enjoyed running, hiking, and biking. She leaves behind a “supportive, fun, and loving family.”

Her daughter, Adalynn, shared a message for her late mother on Twitter: “Thank you for loving me in the best ways and for raising me to become so strong. Everyone who knows you knows how outgoing and funny you were and I will miss your laugh forever.”

Alithia Ramirez

Alithia was 10-years-old and loved to draw. Her aunt, Rosemarie Ramirez, was at work in San Marcos, TX when she saw her brother on the news seeking his daughter. Rosemarie wants “the families to know that they're not alone. We're all grieving," she says. "My whole family is devastated." They have a GoFundMe set up to help with expenses that may arise from their loss.

Annabell Rodriguez

Annabell Rodriguez, 10, and Jackie Cazares, 10, were also cousins in the same class at Robb Elementary. According to her great-aunt, Polly Flores, Annabelle was an honor roll student and very close with her family, especially her cousin Jackie.

Maite Rodriguez

Maite Rodriguez was an honor roll student at Robb Elementary. Her death was confirmed by a family member, Raquel Silva, on Facebook. She wrote, “Our hearts are shattered. Keep the Coronado Rodriguez family in your prayers, this senseless act of violence hit close to home.” There is a verified GoFundMe page set up for the family.

Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio

Lexi Rubio was in the fourth grade and had just made the All-A honor roll. She loved softball and basketball and, when she grew up, she wanted to be a lawyer. Her parents told CNN, "She was kind, sweet, and appreciated life. She was going to be an all-star in softball and had a bright future, whether it's sports or academic. Please let the world know we miss our baby."

Lexi’s father, Felix Rubio, is a deputy with the Uvalde County Sheriff's Office and responded to the scene of the shooting.

Layla Salazar

Layla, 10, enjoyed filming TikTok videos, running, and dancing. She also loved swimming with her two older brothers. Her grandfather, Vincent Salazar Jr. said, “Our hearts are shattered because of this.”

Jailah Nicole Silguero

11-year-old Jailah Silguero, the youngest of four children, loved school and playing with friends. A day after the shooting, officials asked her father, Jacob Silguero, to provide a DNA sample, which confirmed Jailah had passed away.

Jailah’s mother, Veronica Luevanos, told Univision that her daughter originally did not want to go to school Tuesday.

Eliahana Cruz Torres

Eliahana Cruz Torres, 10, was a softball player and was planning for her final game of the season and hoping to make the all-star team. Sadly, she never made it to her last game. Her aunt Leandra Vera said, “Our baby gained her wings.”

Rojelio Torres

10-year-old Rojelio Torres’s family waited nearly 12 hours before learning that he did not survive the shooting. His aunt, Precious Perez, said to KSAT, “We are devastated and heartbroken. Rojer was a very intelligent, hard-working and helpful person. He will be missed and never forgotten.”