May 24 was supposed to be a happy day for the Garza family. Ten-year-old Amerie Jo Garza was named into the honor roll at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, with a small ceremony scheduled on Tuesday morning to recognize her achievement. Amerie Jo was captured in a photo beaming with pride as she held up a colorful school certificate.
Little did they know that the photo taken at around 10 a.m. would be the last picture of Amerie Jo alive. NBC News reported that she was among the 19 children shot dead at the school.
Two teachers also died in the tragic shooting in the city of Uvalde, located about 90 minutes west of San Antonio. The gruesome massacre comes just days after another deadly mass shooting transpired in Buffalo, New York, amid a rapid rise in active shooter incidents in the United States.
Amerie Jo Garza was shot dead while dialing 911
Amerie Jo's grandmother, Berlinda Irene Arreola, was emotional when talking to the Daily Beast about the shooting. She said in the interview that her grandchild was "super-outgoing" and a "teacher's pet" who liked doing well in school. Arreola paid tribute to Amerie Jo, who she said was fatally wounded while dialing 911.
Arreola wrote in a text message that her granddaughter was shot and killed for trying to call 911, and she died a hero trying to get help for her and her classmates. Amerie Jo attempted to call for help after the 18-year-old gunman suddenly entered their school with several weapons.
It was not just Arreola who spent an anguished day struggling to find out anything about Amerie Jo as other family members also tried to get some news about the missing child. Her distraught stepfather, Angel Garza, even took to Facebook to inquire about Amerie Jo.
Read Also : Murder Mystery in South Carolina as 4 Teens Shot Dead Within Hours in Small City of Newberry
Angel Garza heartbroken after daughter's senseless death
He posted a message on social media before 8 p.m. local time, writing, "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."
Garza, who had raised Amerie Jo with her mother since she was a young baby, returned to Facebook shortly after 11 p.m. local time with the news that his child was one of the victims of the mass shooting.
Garza issued a statement to ABC News, writing, "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."
Authorities told Arreola that the gunman went to the school and told the children, "You are going to die." Arreola said Amerie Jo had her phone with her at the time, and she called 911. Instead of grabbing the phone and breaking it or taking it from her, the killer shot her.
The 18-year-old suspect was identified as Salvador Ramos, a student at Uvalde High School. He ended up dead after the mass shooting.
