Uvalde Day of Remembrance to honor the 21 lives lost in school shooting -

UVALDE, Texas - Two years have passed since the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, yet the wounds inflicted on the community remain raw as they come together to honor the memory of the lives lost and the resilience displayed in the face of tragedy.

Twenty-one people, including 19 fourth-grade students, were murdered on May 24, 2022, in the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, and what the U.S. Justice Department described as a "cascading failure" by law enforcement.

A committee is working on a permanent memorial to the victims, and support for mental health services for those affected by the shooting. Families of shooting victims reached a settlement with the City of Uvalde just days ago. The city is also pledging to roll out changes to the police force, including a new fitness-for-duty standard.

This morning, the families are fighting for more.

A new lawsuit against almost 100 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, the school district and several employees.

READ THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has written a letter to the families of the tragedy in Uvalde.

To the families of the victims: I know that, even after years have passed, there are days it feels like you just got the news yesterday,” Biden wrote. “While there are no words that will ease the pain you continue to feel, I pray you find comfort in reflecting on their memories and all that they mean.

The DOJ report describes terrified children calling 911 asking for assistance, saying things like “Help!," and “I don’t want to die. My teacher is dead."

Those calls came in almost 40 minutes after the gunman started shooting into classrooms, and it would be another 37 minutes before the survivors were rescued. Law enforcement was scrutinized after surveillance footage was released of law enforcement standing outside the fourth-grade classrooms instead of breaching the doors and engaging the gunman.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said following the report's release that the most significant failure was that UCISD Chief Pete Arredondo saying this was a barricaded subject and not an active shooter.

After this unimaginable tragedy, Jill and I came to Uvalde to share our condolences with the victims’ loved ones and express our commitment to preventing senseless acts of violence like this from happening again,” Biden’s letter continues. “When we met with the families, they had the same message we hear in the aftermath of all too many mass shootings: Do something. In the two years since, they have made their voices heard—and our country has listened.

State Senator Roland Gutierrez spoke Friday on the 2-year anniversary of Uvalde school mass shooting.

It doesn't get easier for these families. You would think that time heals all wounds. But as I talk to my friends and uh in Uvalde, they, it just doesn't get easier. Every holiday is a remembrance. Every holiday that a kid loves is a remembrance and certainly these anniversaries are harder and harder.

On Friday, leaders from several school districts are donating blood in honor of the survivors and victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is hosting the event, which begins at 9 a.m. at 6211 I-10 West.

In remembrance of the victims, a special “United for Uvalde” T-shirt will be available for blood donors at SouthTexasBlood.org/DonorRewards.

Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris:

Two years ago, 19 beautiful children and two selfless teachers were killed in their classrooms during a senseless mass shooting carried out with a weapon of war. They should still be with us – playing sports, creating art, dancing, laughing, learning, teaching, and making new memories with their families and friends. Today, we are remembering their stories, standing with their loved ones, and thinking of their community.In the months and years since these 21 Americans lost their lives and 17 others were injured, the families in Uvalde have powerfully channeled their anguish into advocacy – demanding action to change the unacceptable fact that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in our nation. With their help, President Biden and I fought to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years. Working with gun safety advocates in Uvalde and across the country, we have also taken more action to reduce gun violence than any other Administration in history. This includes closing the gun show loophole, investing in student mental health, launching the first-ever red flag law resource center, and establishing the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.While we have made necessary progress together, there is more work to be done to ensure that every person in our nation has the freedom to live safe from the horror of gun violence. Congress and state legislators throughout America must have the courage to act by banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, passing red flag laws, and making background checks universal. These commonsense solutions will save lives and ensure that fewer children, families, and communities experience the unimaginable trauma and pain that Uvalde has suffered during these last two years.

REMEMBERING THE LIVES LOST

Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo, 10
Jacklyn “Jackie” Cazares, 9
Makenna Lee Elrod, 10
Jose Flores Jr., 10
Eliahna “Ellie” Amyah Garcia, 9
Irma Linda Garcia, 48
Uziyah Sergio Garcia, 10
Amerie Jo Garza, 10
Xavier James Lopez, 10
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10
Tess Marie Mata, 10
Maranda Mathis, 11
Eva Mireles, 44
Alithia Haven Ramirez, 10
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10
Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10
Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubio, 10
Layla Marie Salazar, 11
Jalilah Nicole Silguero, 10
Eliahna Cruz Torres, 10
Rojelio Fernandez Torres, 10

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