Currents News Staff
Jackie Cazares’s father had words for his daughter.
“She was full of love, full of life, and she would do anything for anybody,” said Cazares.
Jackie had just had her First Communion. She and her fellow schoolmates were taken too soon.
“Sweetest girl, you ever had the chance to meet,” said Cazares.
Like 9-year-old “Ellie” Garcia, who was just a week from her 10th birthday and 10-year-old Nevaeh Bravo. Her first name spelled backwards is heaven. They’re angels now to their families – 19 children – and two teachers.
This is the pain of their loss.
“How do you look at this girl and shoot her?” said Angel Garza, who raised Amerie Jo Garza. “Oh my baby, how do you shoot my baby?”
Angel wants others to know she tried to call 9-1-1 to save her classmates and teachers.
“She was the sweetest little girl who did nothing wrong,” Angel said. “She listened to her mom and dad, she always brushed her teeth, she was creative, she made things for us, she never got in trouble in school.”
Lexi Rubio loved sports and at just 10 years old, she dreamed of traveling the world.
“She wanted to go to Australia,” said Felix and Kimberly Rubio, the parents of Lexi Rubio. “She wanted to go to law school at St. Mary’s because that’s where I go.”
Jackie Cazares’ father Jacinto called her a “firecracker.” He posted his range of emotions on social media and left these words to her daughter: “Baby girl, we all love you with all our hearts.”
A community is mourning the loss of life including teacher Irma Garcia who was in her fifth year teaching alongside Eva Mireles.
Both died, their families say, shielding students from gunfire. Children are still being treated in the hospital. A Pediatric Trauma Director describes the children as critical but stable, wishing there were more she could save.
“I think that’s what’s hit us the most, not of the patients we did receive, and we are honored to treat them,” said Dr. Lillian Liao, University Health Pediatric Trauma Director. “But the patients that we did not receive. I think that is the most challenging aspect of our job right now.”
The Flores family was among those who rushed to hospitals in search of their children. That was where Jose Flores Sr.’s worst nightmare came true.
“I didn’t get to hold him no more,” said Jose Flores. “I didn’t get to see him no more.”