Special Section on Uvalde School Shooting 

Layla loved to swim and dance. And she could really run. The 11-year-old won six races in a recent field day and took home blue first-place ribbons. Now she would “run with the angels,” said her father, Vinnie Salazar. He would “jam” with his daughter to “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses on the way to school. The song, he wrote on Facebook, was the only thing bringing him peace right now. -- from the Texas Tribune

Allison McCullough will remember Makenna’s smile, which she said could light up a room. “She had the biggest heart and loved her family and friends so much,” McCullough said of her niece on a GoFundMe page. Late Thursday, a young boy who said he was 8 years old walked up to Makenna’s cross in the town square. He dropped a single white rose on the pile of flowers, gifts and stuffed animals in front of it.

By Abby Livingston, The Texas Tribune WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Texan John Cornyn, announced the framework for a legislative deal to address gun violence in the aftermath of the May 24 mass shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead at a Uvalde elementary school.

On June 4 2022, the #StandWithUvalde event at Travis Park hosted by Voto Latino gathered San Antonio leaders, community members, and speakers in a peaceful demonstration to “turn anger into advocacy”.  Speakers included U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, and others.

By James Barragán and Zach Despart, The Texas Tribune Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language. Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.

Join a nationwide group of marches in support of common sense gun laws. Sutherland Springs and Uvalde, locations of two of the deadliest mass shootings in Texas history, are within 45 minutes of San Antonio. Don't wait for a tragedy like this to reach your part of town before acting.  

By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune UVALDE — In the days following the school shooting at Robb Elementary, the streets of this small town were lined by sets of 21. The 21 bows of gauzy ribbon tied to the thin posts of a black iron gate. The 21 candles glowing from the window ledge of the historic Uvalde Grand Opera House. The row of classroom chairs — 19 small red ones and two taller black ones — looking out onto Getty Street. But then 21 turned to 22.

Alithia loved to draw. She had submitted a drawing to Doodle for Google, her father, Ryan Ramirez, told KSAT-TV. She shared her love for art and soccer with her best friend, Nico Escalante, who was struck and killed by a car in Grand Prairie last year. Alithia tried to use artwork to provide solace to Nico’s parents.

There was a lot Alexandria was looking forward to: practicing softball and basketball with her father, playing volleyball in the seventh grade and learning about feminism. The fourth-grader got straight A’s in elementary school and had just been awarded a good citizenship award. “Our baby wanted to be a lawyer; she wanted to make a difference,” her mother, Kimberly Rubio, told The New York Times. “Please make sure she makes one now.”

Mireles worked as an educator for 17 years. Many in the small-knit community of Uvalde have been her students. Mireles’ husband, Ruben Ruiz, is a school police officer. He ran an active-shooter drill at the local high school just months ago, according to the school district’s Facebook post.