The mom of the Uvalde shooter, who killed 19 children and two teachers at the Robb Elementary School, denied allegations that her son had a violent nature and that they had a toxic relationship.
Adriana Reyes, 39, acknowledged that her son, Salvador Ramos, 18, was a loner who did not have many friends. However, she was surprised that her son went on a killing spree and claimed many innocent lives in what has gone down in history as one of the deadliest school shootings in the U.S.
Reyes was speaking to Daily Mail exclusively while looking after her mother, Celia Gonzalez, whom her son also shot before he attacked the school. Ramos has been living with his grandmother for some time, but Gonzalez and her husband, Rolando, had no idea the young adult bought the assault rifles he used in the attack for his 18th birthday.
The mother described her relationship with Ramos as "good." She said she even gifted him a Snoopy stuffed toy and a card for his birthday. She denied that Ramos was living with his grandparents because she fought with her son about the WiFi in her house.
Adriana Reyes' Boyfriend Confirmed the Fight
However, Juan Alvarez, 62, the boyfriend of the shooter's mom, told NBC News that the mother and son had a tumultuous relationship. Reyes often fought with Ramos, and they did argue over the WiFi.
As a result of that argument, Ramos left his mother's house to live with his grandparents. Alvarez also described the Uvalde shooter as someone he did not get along with because Ramos didn't talk to him. He said that the boy behaved weirdly.
However, despite his aloofness, Alvarez was still shocked when the police identified Ramos as the Uvalde shooter. Alvarez said he feels for the kids who died in the senseless tragedy.
Neighbor Becky Flores told the cops that Ramos was often exposed to a tumultuous home environment. Just two months ago, police officers were at the grandparents' home because of a reported disturbance.
However, an unnamed aunt of the Uvalde shooter said there had been many misconceptions about her nephew in the reports. She conceded that no one knew what the teenager was going through because he didn't usually talk to anyone.
Uvalde Cops Were Unprepared
Minutes after Ramos attacked the school, onlookers told the local cops to barge into the premises to stop the rampage. Some parents were also on the scene as soon as they were alerted about the mass shooting.
According to ABC News, some residents in the area said the police officers seemed unprepared for the attack. The school district officers exchanged gunfires with Ramos, but they could not stop him.
Reports cited that Ramos barricaded himself in one classroom and started the rampage. All of the victims belonged to one classroom.
Witness Juan Carranza said there was only one shooter and several law enforcement officers. They could have technically done more to save the kids. Aside from the 21 victims, Ramos injured 17 people as well, including law enforcement officers.
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