What should have been a week of joy as summer vacation began turned into a week of sorrow for the community of Uvalde, Texas. Instead of celebrating the end of the school year, residents are now mourning the tragic loss of 19 children and two teachers who were killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
On Tuesday, the town began the heartbreaking process of laying the victims to rest. A visitation was held for 10-year-old Amery Jo Garza at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home, located just across the street from Robb Elementary School, the site of the tragedy. Amery, one of the victims, had recently celebrated her 10th birthday and was described as a vibrant child who loved to draw. Her favorite color, purple, was worn by many mourners at the request of her father, Angel Garza, as they gathered to honor her memory.
Just a short distance away, at another funeral home in Uvalde, the funeral for another 10-year-old victim, Mayte Rodriguez, was held. Mayte was remembered as a bright and caring child who dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. Her relatives wore green t-shirts adorned with an image of Mayte depicted with angel wings, symbolizing the innocence and beauty of her young life.
Over the next two and a half weeks, the town will host a series of visitations and funerals as families and friends say their final goodbyes to the victims. The grief in Uvalde is palpable, as the community comes together to support one another through the unimaginable pain of losing so many young lives.
A community searching for answers
While the residents of Uvalde grieve, questions continue to swirl about the police response to the May 24 shooting. Investigators are working to piece together the timeline of events, and lawmakers are under pressure to address the broader issue of gun violence that has plagued communities across the United States.
The tragedy has reignited the national conversation about gun control and school safety, with many calling for immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, for the families in Uvalde, the focus remains on honoring the lives of their loved ones and finding a way to heal from this devastating loss.
Mourning through shared memories
At Amery’s visitation, mourners carried flowers, many of them purple in honor of her favorite color. Amery, who had just received a cell phone as a birthday gift, was remembered as a creative and spirited child whose life was tragically cut short. Among those who attended her service were relatives of Mayte Rodriguez, illustrating the close-knit bonds within the Uvalde community.
Before Mayte’s funeral, her family paused at the site where the gunman, Salvador Ramos, had crashed his truck before entering the school. Juana Magaña, Mayte’s aunt, looked at the distance between the crash site and the school and couldn’t help but ask, “How could he walk so much?” The moment underscored the lingering pain and unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy.
The Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home, located near the school, has become intertwined with the events of that day. After the gunman crashed his vehicle, two employees from the funeral home ran to help but were forced to flee when Ramos opened fire on them. Both men narrowly escaped injury, further connecting the funeral home to the tragic events that unfolded just steps away.
More families prepare to say goodbye
The heartbreak continues for other families as they prepare for upcoming funerals. Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia, another 10-year-old victim, was set to celebrate her birthday on June 6. Instead of a joyful party filled with gifts inspired by her love of the Disney movie Encanto, her family will now hold her funeral on what would have been her special day. Ellie’s aunt, Suriya Arizmendi, described her niece’s excitement about her birthday, saying, “She loved that movie and talked about it a lot.”
The immense scale of the tragedy has overwhelmed the local funeral homes, prompting help from across Texas. Funeral directors, embalmers, and other professionals have traveled to Uvalde to assist with the services. Jimmy Lucas, president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, arrived with a hearse and offered his support, whether by driving, helping with arrangements, or assisting in any other way needed.
Given the damage caused by the gunman’s high-powered rifle, some funeral workers have also been tasked with reconstructive services to restore the victims’ appearances. This grim reality has added another layer of heartbreak for the families and the professionals working to provide them with some measure of comfort during this difficult time.
A town united in grief
As Uvalde begins the long journey toward healing, the pain of the tragedy remains fresh. The funerals, stretching over the next several weeks, will serve as a somber reminder of the young lives lost and the teachers who gave their lives protecting their students.
The community, united in mourning, is leaning on one another for strength as they navigate the aftermath of the shooting. While the national spotlight remains on Uvalde, with calls for action to address gun violence, the town’s focus is firmly on its families — on remembering the victims and providing support to those who must now find a way to move forward.
For the residents of Uvalde, the grief is deep, the questions are many, and the road to healing will be long. But through shared sorrow and the collective support of their community, they are determined to honor the memories of those they have lost.