A 10-year-old girl at Robb Elementary School was shot dead as she tried to call 911 amid the massacre, her grandmother said.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, Berlinda Irene Arreola said that her granddaughter, a fourth grader named Amerie Jo Garza, was fatally shot on Tuesday while she tried to get a hold of the emergency services.
“My Granddaughter was shot and killed for trying to call 911, she died a hero trying to get help for her and her fellow classmates,” Arreola wrote in a text message to the outlet.
Amerie was one of the 21 people killed when 18-year-old Salvadore Ramos entered the Uvalde, Texas, school at around 11:30 AM after shooting his grandma and crashing his car in a ditch near the school. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Erick Estrada, she is in a critical condition.
He made his way inside the school with a handgun and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle before "horrifically, incomprehensibly" opening fire, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.
Of the 21 who were killed, 19 were students at the school and two were fourth-grade teachers - Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia, who had taught at the school for more than 20 years.
The gunman was shot dead by police, officials said. Two border agents were reportedly shot in an exchange with the gunman, but are now both in a stable condition.
Hours after the shooting took place, Amerie Jo's stepfather, Angel Garza, took to Facebook to share his anguish at the situation, not knowing for certain what had happened to the youngster.
He wrote: "I don’t ask for much or hardly even post on here but please It’s been 7 hours and I still haven’t heard anything on my love. Please fb help me find my daughter."
After learning about Amerie's tragic death, he took to Facebook again to write: "Thank you everyone for the prayers and help trying to find my baby. She’s been found.
"My little love is now flying high with the angels above. 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."
