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I have not met with the families yet. The funeral home is directly across the street from the school where Amerie, her classmates . Eliahna "Ellie" Garcia would have turned 10 over the weekend, but instead of getting ready to sing her "Happy Birthday," her family was preparing for her funeral. Blue hearts in the middle of each cross contain messages from dozens of loved ones. 5 Daily Digest. The Uvalde funeral home planned 16 of the 21 funerals. On one evening, the small white feathers on a pair of cutout wings perched over the gravesite of Eliahna Torres fluttered in the wind as grave diggers nearby prepared twin ditches for cousins Jayce Luevanos and Jailah Silguero to be buried side by side the following day. Police have come under heavy criticism for taking well over an hour to kill Ramos inside the adjoining classrooms where he unleashed carnage. She was one of two teachers killed by a gunman last week at Robb Elementary School, along with 19 students, in the South Texas town of Uvalde. All rights reserved. The shirts were green: Maites favourite colour. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The desert-brown church with the tall bell tower was filled to overflowing. Layla was remembered by her family for her love of dancing, the Dallas Cowboys and singing with her father on the way to school and her mother on the way back. The couple would have been married 25 years on June 28 His obituary noted that he and Irma "began their relationship in high school and it flourished into a love that was beautiful and kind. MaKenna made friends everywhere she went. By Adriana Gomez Licon | AP May 31, 2022, 9:51am PST Pocket Graveside service will be 11 A.M. Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Springhill Assication Cemetery. For Catholic families in this mostly Latino community, the funeral procession route begins at the 114-year old Sacred Heart parish; runs past several quiet, residential blocks of modest homes; and then veers left on Lovers Lane to reach the cemeterys arched entrance. Arms dealers and manufacturers, CPAC shows the GOP has deep divisions that may prove impossible to repair, Abortion clinics crossing state borders not always welcome, Black Vietnam veteran finally awarded Medal of Honor, Toxic forever chemicals about to get their first U.S. limits, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits. Jae C. Hong/AP Jinitzail Hernndez contributed to this report. He had just turned 18, permitting him to buy the weapons under federal law. The charge of trying to ease some of the families into the uncertain road ahead has partly fallen to Father Eduardo Morales, known locally as Father Eddy, of Sacred Heart. Loss and tragedy is what we do every day in this profession, but the tragedy in Uvalde is something that no funeral professional wants to get overly good at.. One family gathered around a grave with drinks in hand and young children playing on blankets laid out nearby. After a mass shooting, that means one person is tasked with handling multiple burials simultaneously. The memorial once received so many visitors that the patchy grass on the grounds has turned into a dusty lot lined by floral arrangements burnt to a crisp as fewer and fewer visitors replace them with fresh tributes. Greg Abbott, speaking at a Memorial Day event in Longview, urged Texans to keep Uvalde in their prayers. You couldnt buy a cannon when the 2nd Amendment was passed. Instead, investigators said the teacher, who has not been identified, closed the propped-open door when she realized there was a shooter on campus and ran to get her phone and call 911, said Travis Considine, chief communications officer for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Morticians were helping with facial reconstructions needed because of the damage caused by the killers military-style rifle. Associated Press in Uvalde, Texas. It affected him so much, she said. She loved to eat at Chick-Fil-A and vanilla bean frape from Starbucks. As he departed the church service, someone shouted, Do something, at Biden. Investigators continue to seek answers abouthow police respondedto the shooting, and the U.S.Department of Justiceis reviewing law enforcement actions. A town florist told NPR florists from other towns also offered help. He spent several days in Newtown to help. Some might turn inward, closing themselves off from a world that no longer includes their child. It's a task that funeral directors have learned how to do well. There was a local church that had given each family free graves. Sometimes thats easier said than done, especially in this case.. Nineteen more funerals are planned for the next two-and-a-half weeks for the 19 children and two teachers who were killed in that classroom on May 24. The casket held a 10-year-old girl who loved purple. Amid continuing national media interest, Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary the second funeral home in the town, site of the funeral for Maite Rodriguez requested no reporters or photographers on property grounds. Let us all foster a culture of peace. Nineteen more funerals are planned for the next two-and-a-half weeksfor the 19 children and two teacherswho were killed in that classroom on May 24. In 2012, MacDonald was on the ground assistingHonan Funeral Homein Newtown, Connecticut, after agunman shot and killed 26 people, 20 of whom were 6 and 7 years old. While some families arrive soon after deaths to order headstones, she said, she felt it would take the childrens parents some time to make up their minds and gather the strength to choose the stones. All rights reserved. But be assured, we will not relent until Uvalde recovers.. Ameries funeral was the first since the massacre, with Maite Rodriguezs scheduled for later Tuesday at an Uvalde funeral home. In the early afternoon the day before Laylas funeral, the memorial was almost empty, save for a handful of visitors clutching churros handed out by an eager visiting vendor. Amerie loved purple. Mourners comfort each other Wednesday during the burial service for Irma Garcia and her husband Joe Garcia at Hillcrest Cemetery in Uvalde, Texas. She and her husband were heading to the bank Friday to set up the Laguna Monument Memorial Fund. Services for Amerie Jo Garza and Maite Rodriguez held on Tuesday, with 19 more planned for coming weeks. According to her obituary, Amerie was a little diva who hated dresses but nonetheless; she truly had a heart of gold. "Because you were there with them," he said. The funeral Mass is scheduled for June 2 at 2pm, with burial at . One of them Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home is just steps from Robb Elementary, and had served as a shelter for students fleeing the gunman. A wake is held for Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home, Uvalde, Texas. Jimmy Lucas, president of the Texas Funeral Directors Assn., brought a hearse and volunteered to work as a driver, pitch in for services, or do whatever he could, he told NBC News. The Uvalde funeral homes are working with the . Show us with your support. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Search Uvalde obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. Everyone here knows someone who was killed, he told the Washington Post after Saturdays Mass. Uvalde grieves, says goodbyes at visitations, funerals for victims of school shooting Over the next two-and-a-half traumatic weeks, people in the southwestern Texas town will say goodbye to the children and their teachers, one heart-wrenching visitation, funeral and burial after another. Amerie Jo Garza was kind, caring, blunt, loving, sweet, sassy and of course funny. Shirley Welch, who owns Laguna Monument Company with her husband, Billy, told The Independent that the company would be providing stones for free to grieving families. Tallahassee, FL. Sympathy Ideas. Events Add a photo. Then, because there isn't enough space at Uvalde's two funeral homes, many bodies were sent to out-of-town funeral homes until services near. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Eventually, Castle Ridge in Crystal City at least 40 miles outside of Uvalde handled Ramos funeral arrangements. Wednesday, 2 p.m. A week after a gunman stormed into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, funerals began on Tuesday for the 19 young students and two teachers killed as well as the husband of a . And thats all any of us really care about," he said. Jacob Albarado, an off-duty Border Patrol agent who rushed to the school with a shotgun borrowed from his barber, said Tuesday it was chaotic when he arrived in search of his daughter and wife. Its extremely difficult, Ms Welch, her voice full of emotion, said less than 72 hours after the shooting that has shocked the world. Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, The problem with Pablo Escobars hippos. On Monday, many in Uvalde attended both visitations. On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral Mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week ago when 18-year-old Salvador Ramos stormed into her. She had brothers, sisters and cousins who she loved to play with. Two more victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School were. Investigators continue to seek answers about how police responded to the shooting, and the U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing law enforcement actions. Legacy . Investigators are looking into why the door didnt lock. The Washington Post reports that volunteers from across the country have flown in to assist with various aspects of the funerals. Among them, according to the Texas Funeral Directors Association, are morticians who are experts at the art of facial reconstruction.. Amerie biggest dream was to become an Art teacher due to her ambitions for creativity. Under the circumstance, we did not feel it would be appropriate or in the best interest of the families for which we were caring to take custody of the remains of the individual that caused their pain.. Of the 19 children who died at Robb, she knew 17 of their families. Viewing will be from . Funerals for Uvalde, Texas school shooting victims By Joshua Lynch June 2, 2022 2:09am Updated 1 of 10 A hearse with the casket of 9-year-old Jacklyn Cazares passes through town following a. Garza was killed in last week's elementary . She is a hero, Esquivel said. Funeral directors, embalmers and others from across Texas arrived to help. IE 11 is not supported. After a few sleepless nights following the shooting, she made the quick trip to San Antonio to pick up the sign made by a family friend, setting it up as soon as she got back in time for the funeral of Amerie Jo Garza, the first victim whose procession passed down Fort Clark Road. Age 57. Salazar said the family likely wont see Laylas body until soon before the visitation. ), Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, The Texas school shooting victims have all been identified: This is who they are, Trump says calls for gun control after Texas shooting are repulsive and shameful, Nineteen children died! This story has been shared 141,108 times. Ellies older sister is doing OK, Arizmendi said, understanding their family and others face a long road to recovery. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He told me, Mom, I just dont feel safe.. She was smart. Some crouched down, reflecting quietly next to mounds of dirt that had not yet receded into the Earth; others tended to the flowers and tributes left behind. According to a classmate who survived, the 10-year-old tried calling 911 on her phone before Ramos, 18, fatally shot her. by Alexa Ura A dozen funerals are scheduled for this week. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, what can be done to stem the gun violence, Column: Did the DOJ just say Donald Trump can be held accountable for Jan. 6? UVALDE, Texas (AP) Mourners on Sunday were remembering a girl who was an aspiring artist, whose joy at reaching the double-digit age of 10 charmed broken hearts around the world. On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral Mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week . Her family had been preparing a party. hide caption. Pallbearers carry Amerie Jo Garza, 10, who died in the mass shooting during her funeral mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas, on May 31, 2022. Who Where Receive obituaries Daniel Reyna Jr. February 23, 2023 (74 years old) View obituary Ricardo Martinez February 27, 2023 (79 years old) View obituary The two 10-year-old fourth graders were among 19 children and two teachers killed when. Obviously there were children in that classroom at risk.. Nine of the dead children and two of their teachers passed through Sacred Heart on their way to the cemetery now dappled with fresh mounds of dirt. The little girl who loved to draw had just received a cellphone for her 10th birthday. RELATED: Funeral services scheduled for victims of the Uvalde school shooting "I've been working with the families face-to-face in their homes composing obituaries, organizing register books and . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Its as if one huge funeral that is not ending, Morales, better known as Father Eddy, told ABCs WFAA-TV affiliate. The ten-year-old loved to play softball, gymnastics, loved to dance and sing, play with fidgets and spend time with her family, according to her obituary. On Thursday, the mid-morning procession for Layla Salazar was led by a silver hearse carrying a sweet little girls casket white and yellow with sunflowers against a blue background on the lid. The first funerals for the21 victims will take place on Tuesday, said Jimmy Lucas, president of theTexas Funeral Directors Association. UVALDE From Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the path to eternal rest is a 1-mile drive down Fort Clark Road to Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. At the end of the week, shell also cook for the funeral home employees to offer them a reprieve at the end of their grueling work for the Robb families. Nineteen more funerals are planned for the next two-and-a-half weeks for the 19 children and two teachers who were killed in that classroom on May 24. Visitation for one of the teachers, 48-year-old Irma Garcia, also was Tuesday, along with visitations for children Nevaeh Bravo and Jose Flores Jr. Vincent Salazars 11-year-old daughter, Layla, has the last of the scheduled services her visitation is June 15 with the funeral the following day. Survivors now face less structured grief, starting each day knowing they will live it out differently than they should have. Local funeral homes did not want to perform the funeral service of the Uvalde school gunman. It is very hard work but its very fulfilling. Uvalde has about 15,000 residents and two funeral homes. Creating an obituary on Echovita is free. On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral Mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week ago when 18-year-old Salvador Ramos stormed into her Uvalde, Texas elementary school and opened fire on her classroom. Maite Rodriguez's funeral was scheduled for later Tuesday at one of the funeral homes in Uvalde, Texas. Irma Garcia was killed in last week's elementary school shooting. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E), I feel sure that the families because this is such a tragedy I feel like its going to take a little bit of time for them to come to terms with it, she said. However, in the weeks following the shootings of May 24th, we were caring for 17 families through what is probably the most difficult time in their lives, she said. And as Texans, we must come together and lift up Uvalde and support them in every way that we possibly can. Submit an Obituary. Sat 11 Jun 2022 13.22 EDT. Spencer Eugene Gavin 57, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023. It is just sad for all the children, she said. He declined to discuss preliminary results and said final reports will take three to four months. UVALDE, Texas . Esquivel also said classmates said Maite was brave during the shooting. "You did what you would have done with your own children. Uvalde funeral homes pledge to provide free services for victims. More than $2.7 million has been raised for the children of a Uvalde teacher, A Uvalde coroner is haunted by identifying the bodies of children and an old friend. Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Eulalio Lalo Diaz Jr. said the bodies of all 21 victims were first sent to the medical examiners office in San Antonio for autopsies, which he said is standard for a major crime. One of the initial asks from the funeral homes was a crisis counselor for their staff, many of whom know the victims they are now preparing for burial. This morning has been a little bit harder. Whos benefiting from Russias war on Ukraine? June 16, 20224 PM Central. A protector of her brother and as we now know her classmates. Mourners pay their respects at the funeral for Robb Elementary School teacher Irma Linda Garcia and her husband, Joe Garcia, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde on June 1, 2022. To me, I believe everyone there was doing the best that they could given the circumstances, he told TODAY. On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral Mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week ago whenan 18-year-oldstormed into herUvalde, Texaselementary school and opened fire on her classroom. Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home and Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary made the . I wanted them to see it.. The crosses are a few feet tall, the paper said. UVALDE From Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the path to eternal rest is a 1-mile drive down Fort Clark Road to Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. Theres going to be a lot of tears and a lot of sadness but as we continue to celebrate their lives, they will turn into tears of joy.. Two weeks before, the line to visit the memorial at the elementary school stretched for several blocks, locals flipped burgers on Main Street to feed their neighbors, and a busy donation car wash was running nearby to collect funds for hurting families. But that anger cant turn into hate., Theres going to be a lot of tears and a lot of sadness, he said Saturday of the funerals to come. The hearse carrying Layla Salazars casket arrived at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for her funeral mass on Thursday. He made the honor roll and received a certificate on May 24, hours before the shooting. On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral Mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week . Shed step out of her robin-blue trailer home, sit on a black patio chair in the shade, and stand quickly when the fire truck or patrol cars turned the corner, signaling the arrival of the processions. But this is what's missing, Scam alert: arrest warrant calls are fake, sheriff's office says. The quieter road ahead for this grieving community was perhaps best captured at the cemetery at dusk on the eve of Laylas funeral, when loved ones of the children already buried visited graves. Kelly Baker, who has ownedThe Flower Patch, a local flower shop in Uvalde, for 10 years, said she and her staff are working nonstop to design and fill endless flower arrangements for memorials, families and funerals. Its her way of holding vigil for the families, similar to the way outside support for her community, even from faraway places, has helped the community feel less lonely in tragedy. The funeral for 10-year-old Maite Rodriguez was Tuesday night. Shes considering adding it to whats left of the memorial at the school. Gov. Guns N Roses Sweet Child O Mine was a favorite. As family and friends unleash their grief, investigators will push for answers about how police responded to the shooting, and lawmakers have said theyll consider what can be done to stem the gun violence permeating the nation. One of her friends told Angel Garza that Amerie tried to use the phone to call police during the assault on her fourth-grade classroom. She described Amerie as "a nice little girl who smiled a lot," and who was "so humble and charismatic but full of life.". Visitations for one of the. After the Sandy Hook shooting, MacDonald and a team of volunteers banded together to help the Honan Funeral Home care for the victims and their families. It was not clear when or if it would happen. Among the angels Ms Garcia tried to protect was Maranda Mathis, described as having a huge loving heart and a lover of being within nature and spending time outdoors. Other arriving morticians were there to help with facial reconstruction services, given the damage caused by the shooters military-style rifle. That last mile to the cemetery is also the first mile of the road to come for those left behind, trying not so much to move on as to some way, somehow find a path forward. . Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? At one memorial, the mourners brought with them so many white pillar candles, set in a halo encircling the white crosses bearing the names of the dead, that the scent of melted wax under the harsh sun permeated the entire square. And the Rev. Yasin Ozturk / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. Like many people, they were attending both. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Grief Support. Ellie was quiet even around family but loved doing videos and had been already practicing with her older sister a choreography for her quinceaera party the celebration of a girls 15th birthday even though it was still five years away, Arizmendi said. From the first, each procession has passed a sign in the front yard of Ofelia Martinezs sandy brick home bearing the names of all of the victims. She was a member of the 4-H club and loved animals. He missed, and both men made it to safety. Thats what this community is about, Martinez said on a recent evening in between back-to-back funerals. To Martinez, growing up in Uvalde was like growing up with a large extended family. Perches Funeral Home and Operation Hope will donate caskets for the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But he was also attempting to offer the families an opening to celebrate their lives beyond the remembrances of their deaths. A large teddy bear is placed at a memorial in front of crosses bearing the names of the victims killed in this week's school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, May 28. Today we stand for Lexi, and as her voice we demand action.. Amerie Jo Garza and Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, both 10, will we buried today in Uvalde, Texas - a day that should have been the first day of a joyous week of summer break for Robb Elementary School. Its extremely painful.. And each one was . At Amerie's funeral, mourner Erika Santiago, her husband and their two children wore purple shirts adorned with images of the victims. Over the next 2 traumatic weeks, people in the southwestern Texas town will say goodbye to the children and their teachers, one heart-wrenching visitation, funeral and burial after another. Mourners paid their respects to 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza Monday at a funeral home in Uvalde, Texas. You can click this link to create an obituary. Obviously there are so many people reaching out wanting to send flowers, so thats the role were playing.. Weve got so much stuff going on with our own. What Colombia plans for their descendants, Messy storms roll eastward after slamming Texas, Louisiana, Ukrainians dig up more bodies from makeshift graves in once-occupied towns, New crew from U.S, Russia and UAE arrives at space station, Murdaughs fall from grace ends in a life sentence for murder. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. The grief is personal. Simply browse the Uvaldes obituaries listing you can find on this page or conduct a search on the web site with your loved ones name. While the community of Uvalde continues to mourn the deaths of 19 children and two adults shot inside Robb Elementary School, two local funeral homes are overwhelmed. On Thursday, Layla Salazar became the final victim of the Robb Elementary School massacre to make that trip. The funeral Mass for 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde Tuesday. You forget what you did last week, but that day is etched into my mind, MacDonald said. In the afternoon, hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral mass for Amerie Jo Garza, a smiling fourth-grader who was killed a week ago after an 18-year-old gunman who was eventually killed by law enforcement officials murdered 19 children and two teachers at Robb elementary school. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Funeral directors, embalmers and others from across Texas offered help. Among the mourners at Ameries visitation were some of Maites relatives. Once they got to him, the funeral homes in town said, We dont want to deal with him, said Diaz, a justice of the peace also overwhelmed dealing with the deaths of immigrants in a human-smuggling horror in June. Ramos was killed by law enforcement. Do you value our journalism? Amerie's funeral was the first since the massacre, with Maite Rodriguez's scheduled for later Tuesday at a Uvalde funeral home. Martinez wanted all the families to know they would not be abandoned in their grief. The managing funeral director at one of Uvalde's two funeral homes, Rushing-Estes-Knowles, confirmed that it refused to arrange a service for Ramos. Nineteen more funerals are planned for the next two and a half weeks. The casket held a 10-year-old girl who loved purple. Can religion save us from Artificial Intelligence? A hearse with the casket of 9-year-old Jacklyn Cazares passes through town following a funeral service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on June 3, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. MacDonald, who is the father of two children, 6 and 8 years old, said he was on the phone for hours speaking to one funeral director in particular. The director of state police last week said Arredondo made the "wrong decision" not to breach the classroom, believing the gunman was barricaded inside and children weren't at risk. Funerals begin in Uvalde as DOJ reviews delayed police response, stormed into herUvalde, Texaselementary school and opened fire on her classroom, because there isnt enough space at Uvaldes two funeral homes, Texas official: 'Wrong decision' for officers not to breach Uvalde classroom door sooner, that the teacher who at one point propped open an exterior door, Exclusive: First responder recounts rushing into Robb Elementary. Maite Rodriguez's funeral was scheduled for later Tuesday at one of the funeral homes in Uvalde, Texas. Laylas funeral came on a quiet morning. Diaz said the autopsies are complete. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Uvalde school police chief admits he deliberately left kids in classroom during rampage, Mom of Uvalde school shooter jailed for making death threats: reports, Safety inspector posing as intruder walks into Uvalde school unchallenged, Uvalde massacre victims launch $27B class action suit against police, school. (Torres family) Eliahana Torres June 1: Visitation from 2-9 pm. Ramos shot at them. Update: The Dallas Morning News will run information about the 21 victims of the Uvalde massacre as their funerals are held. Amerie's funeral was the first since the massacre, with Maite Rodriguez's scheduled for later Tuesday at an Uvalde funeral home. She was full of life and will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.. Search Uvalde obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. You couldnt go out and buy a lot of weapons.. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, The first visitation for a victim of the Robb Elementary school massacre is scheduled Monday for a student, 10, Sheila Flynn reports from Uvalde, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home. This story has been shared 132,530 times. They keep happening again and again, and its awful.. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. Her smile would light up a room MaKenna loved to write notes to her family and leave them in hidden places to be found later. Before going into the funeral home, they stopped at the ditch to see the metal gate gunman Salvador Ramos crashed a pickup truck into before crossing a field and entering the school. Martinezs sign will stand in the shadow of a row of boarded-up windows, shuttering away the classrooms through which tragedy arrived. Joe Garcia died two days later. Lucas says that a funeral home in San Antonio sent pizza to both funeral homes in Uvalde just to make sure the staff had something to eat. The 2nd Amendment was never absolute, Biden said. Joe Garcia died two days later. Pallbearers carry the casket of Amerie Jo Garza at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas, on May 31, 2022. While the community of Uvalde continues to mourn the deaths of19 children and two adults shot inside Robb Elementary School, two local funeral homes are overwhelmed. Hillcrest Memorial and the shooting will be forever linked. But as we continue to celebrate their lives, they will turn into tears of joy.. We've received your submission. Authorities have said the gunman legally purchased two guns not long before the school attack: an AR-style rifle on May 17 and a second rifle on May 20.