Ten-year-old fourth-grade student Amerie Jo Garza is today hailed by many Americans as a “hero” after it was disclosed that she tried to dial 911 just minutes before she was shot down by the gunman.
Amerie Jo was one of the 21 casualties in Tuesday’s mass shootout at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
On 24th May, a gunman entered the school premises where Amerie Jo studied. He murdered 19 children and two teachers ruthlessly, reviving the scars left after the Sandy Hook massacre that took place more than a decade back in 2012 killing 26 people.
Amerie Jo Garza, one of the Texas school shooting victims in Uvalde
This week’s incident was condemned by people from all across the world and it has renewed the debate if the United States’ gun ownership laws need to be amended to make it strict to procure weapons.
Her grandmother Berlinda Irene Arreola speaking in an interview with The Daily Beast disclosed that her granddaughter, Amerie Jo took the courage to pick up her phone as the 18-year-old, Salvador Ramos entered her classroom and said, “you’re going to die”.
Amerie showed the courage to dial 911 as Salvador Ramos entered her classroom
Arreola said, “So the gunman went in and he told the children, ‘you’re going to die.’ And [Amerie] had her phone and she called 911. And instead of grabbing it and breaking it or taking it from her, he shot her. She was sitting right next to her best friend. Her best friend was covered in blood”.
She further said that Amerie lost her life as she tried to dial 911 to save the life of her as well as her classmates.
Amerie’s grandmother calls her a “Hero”
“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. She was super-outgoing. She had a generous heart. She was always there to lend anybody a helping hand. She was very quick to be a teacher’s pet”, Ms. Arreola added.
Police officials have confirmed that all 21 victims were present in Amerie Jo’s classroom when the shootout took place. Ramos who killed all the victims with a handgun and rifle in the deadly attack was neutralized by the police.
Tuesday afternoon was a nightmare for the family members of Amerie Jo’s family as they were trying to know the whereabouts of their kid and desperately waiting to know about their missing daughter after a violent mass shooting sent shockwaves all across the country.
Amerie’s stepfather posts heartbreaking messages on Facebook
Angel Garza, Amerie Jo’s stepfather, posted on Facebook, “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.”
In another post he updated, “Ohhh my sweet baby I love you so much. I will never be happy or complete again,” along with a broken heart emoji and a couple of pics of the 10-year-old girl.
She is seen holding her younger 3-year-old brother in one pic, while in another pic she strikes a pose with her hand on her hip.
Amerie Jo Garza celebrated her tenth birthday with friends and family just two weeks ago before the deadly shootout took her life. Now, the family members of the little child who loved her brother and used to enjoy drawing and swimming are preparing to bury her with a heavy heart.
Police Authorities have further added that, before Salvador Ramos traveled to the school, he got into an argument with his grandmother, Celia Martinez Gonzales, and shot her.
We also cannot stop hailing the little girl Amerie Jo Garza who showed enough courage to dial 911 in order to save lives but eventually had to lose her life!
