One year later, the Uvalde community continues to grieve and remember those killed at Robb Elementary School. It marks the anniversary of the tragic mass shooting.
On May 24, 2022, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos entered the primary school with a rifle and opened fire, killing 19 children and two teachers, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Ramos also injured 17 others, including a close family member. Before entering the school, Ramos shot his grandmother in the face at the home where he lived with her. She survived but was hospitalized for over a month for treatment of her injuries.
The shooter was eventually neutralized by law enforcement. Though some recent mass shootings, such as at Allen Premium Outlets, have benefited from the police’s quickness to act, the police response at Uvalde drew much criticism, spawning investigations and hearings over whether it was mishandled.
Gloria Cazares, the mother of Jackie Cazares, one of the children killed in the Uvalde assault, told Today that she continues to spend time in her daughter’s former room, which has been perfectly preserved since the morning of the event.
“You’re tired, but when we come home it’s so quiet that you’re just in your thoughts,” said Cazares, according to Today. “It’s just my way of grieving, the advocacy, because it’s a lot easier than being home and not doing anything,” she continued.
Another grieving mother, Jessica Hernandez, told Today that she had been unable to eat or sleep after her daughter, Alithia Ramirez, was killed in the shooting, recounting her experience as a nightmare.
“It was so much all at one time and really, really painful,” said Hernandez, according to Today.
City and county leaders issued a joint statement in observance of the first anniversary of this shooting, asking for “peace and privacy” while the community grieves.
“As a community, we respectfully request to be given the time, space, and privacy to remember those we lost, along with those who survived the mass shooting on May 24,” said local officials. “It is essential to the healing process for our community, and most importantly for our children, to be given this time to grieve together privately.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, explaining, “One year ago, the Uvalde community and the entire state of Texas were devastated to our core by the tragedy at Robb Elementary School.”
“Our hearts remain with the families and members of the community, with whom Cecilia and I met in the weeks and months after as they grieved and began their journeys of healing,” Abbott continued. “As we lower Texas flags today in remembrance, I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives, the families who lost a loved one, the survivors who are forever changed, and the entire Uvalde community as they continue to heal.”
“May we also remember that Texans, uniting in our darkest days, will rise above to forge a brighter path forward.”