Five boys and 12 girls have been identified as among 19 innocent children killed in the horrific school shooting in Texas, as devastated relatives say "hug your family."
Along with a 4th-grade teacher and a co-teacher, the 19 children have been identified as victims of 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos, who marched into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and opened fire.
Lieutenant Chris Olivares, the DPS's spokesperson, told CNN Salvador Ramos burst into the classroom and barricaded himself inside before opening fire. The lone murderer was then killed by a tactical police unit.
Ten-year-old student Xavier Lopez was one of the first victims to be named and was identified by his heartbroken family.
His mother had reportedly attended an awards ceremony for him only hours before the shooting, not knowing this was the last time she would ever see her young child, his cousin told ABC.
Uziyah Garcia, 9, was another tragic victim and was in the fourth grade.
His aunt, Nikki Cross, confirmed his death to NBC 5 and shared his photo online, mourning his tragic passing.
Garcia’s uncle, Mitch Renfro, wrote on Facebook that: “My nephew was a victim of a school shooting today.”
He added he “was killed by a crazy man.”
Amerie Jo Garza was one of the first young girls to be confirmed as killed in the attack, ABC News reported.
Her father, Angel Garza, told the outlet his daughter had turned 10 just two weeks ago.
In a statement released by ABC News, he wrote: "Thank you, everyone, for the prayers and help to try 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."
Eliahana 'Elijah Cruz' Torres, 10, was also identified among the dead.
On the day of the shooting she told her family she did not want to go to school, her grandfather said, but she was told she had to by her family, Fox News heartbreakingly reported.
Makenna Lee Elrod's dad feared the worst when he said the 10-year-old had been missing since the shooting.
He told KTRK News he was on his way to the funeral home and later, a family friend confirmed her death on Facebook, writing: "Sweet Makenna Rest in Paradise! My heart is shattered as my daughter Chloe loved her so much!
"I’ll never forget how excited she was to meet a new friend from a different school! Just a few weeks ago she got a friendship bracelet from her at the ballpark and she wears it every day!
"When she wakes up tomorrow she’s going to be devastated. Praying so hard for her sweet family!"
Steven Garcia and Jennifer Lugo confirmed the news that their daughter Ellie was also killed in Tuesday's massacre after she hadn't been seen for several hours.
In a Facebook post, dad Steve wrote: "It’s hard to issue out a statement on anything right now my mind is going at 1000 miles per hour… but I do wanna send our thoughts and prayers to those who also didn’t make it home tonight!!!
"Our Ellie was a doll and was the happiest ever. Mom and Dad love you never forget that and please try and stay by our side."
A baseball-loving 10-year-old, Jose Flores, was also identified as a victim of the shooting.
His uncle, Christopher Salazar, confirmed his nephew’s death and said Jose was a very happy boy who loved both his parents very much.
Mr Salazar said his nephew “loved going to school" and that Jose had received a school award just hours before the brutal attack.
Nevaeh Bravo, another student at the school, was confirmed dead by a person claiming to be her cousin.
She wrote on Facebook: “Our Nevaeh has been found. She is flying with the angels above. We love you Navaeh very much princess.”
"Please everyone continue to keep her parents and our family in your prayers."
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez was in the same classroom as her cousin, who is yet to be identified, when the killer went on his brutal rampage, reported Houston’s KHOU.
Rojelio Torres, who was initially reported missing by his father, has been confirmed dead by his cousin.
She wrote on Twitter: "Thank you for the prayers and for trying to help find my cousin, it breaks my heart to say my Rojelio is now with the angels I’ll forever miss you and love you my angel."
Rojelio's dad, Federico Torres, told KHOU-TV that he was at work when he heard about the shooting and instantly rushed to the school.
The father of Alithia Ramirez, 10, posted on Facebook that he needed help finding his daughter.
He wrote: "Trying to find my daughter Alithia. I called all the hospitals and nothing."
It was later confirmed that Alithia was one of the victims killed during Tuesday’s attack.
Another 10-year-old girl, Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, was killed in the shootings and remembered by her mother as “beautiful” and “smart."
She wrote on social media: "We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school. We had no idea this was goodbye."
In another tribute, posted by her coach, Lexi was described as a "bright light in everyone's life" and a "badass ball player".
"You left this world way too soon and you will forever be missed," her coach added.
Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11, Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10, and Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10 were also confirmed to have died.
Jaliah Nicole Silguero's mother said in a Facebook post that she was heartbroken. "Fly high baby girl," Veronica Luevanos wrote.
A cousin of Maite Yuleana Rodriguez has confirmed her death on Facebook, calling Maite a "beautiful angel"
Jayce appears to be Jaliah's cousin based on photographs shared by the family, was named as a victim by his aunt. "Still can't believe that we're never gonna see you again," she wrote on Facebook
Tess Marie Mata's older sister, Faith, described her as a "precious angel".
"In my eyes you are not a victim but a survivor. I love you always and past forever baby sister, may your wings soar higher than you could ever dream," she wrote.
"Till we meet again Tess Marie, love your big sissy."
Miranda Mathis' cousin Deanna Miller confirmed her death on social media.
She posted a tribute on Facebook which read: "My sweet baby cousin we loved u dearly I'm so sorry this happen to u baby please keep my family in your prayers".
As well as the thirteen youngsters confirmed to have died, Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher who had been at the school for around five years, was killed in the shooting while trying to protect pupils.
Her aunt Lydia Martinez Delgado confirmed the death to ABC News.
Delgado said: "I'm furious that these shootings continue. These children are innocent. Rifles should not be easily available to all.
"This is my hometown, a small community of less than 20,000. I never imagined this would happen to especially to loved ones.
"All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools and especially the families of all”.
Mireles was married to Ruben Ruiz, a 43-year-old cop at the local police department and they had a college-age daughter who posted a heartbreaking tribute.
She called her mum her hero and said how desperately she wanted to hear her voice again.
She wrote: "I want you to come back to me mum. I miss you more than words can explain. I don't know how to do this life without you but I will take care of dad.
"I will forever say your name so you are always remembered, Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary who selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives."
A second teacher, Irma Garcia, was identified by family members and friends as another victim.
The 46-year-old had spent 23 years teaching, and had been nominated as a teacher of the year by the Uvalde Independent School District in 2019.
Sharing news of her death on Facebook, her nephew John said: "My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, I beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers, IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. she was loved by many and will truly be missed."
There have been a number of reports online and on social media about the potential identities of other victims, but no others have so far been confirmed by their families or the authorities. CNN has reported that families are undertaking DNA samples so the authorities can identify more children.
Ramos shared pictures of the guns he bought only days ago on his Instagram before he attacked the school.
