In a poignant revelation on social media, Kimberly Garcia, mother of 10-year-old Amerie Garcia, one of the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in May 2022, shared her ongoing heartbreak. Garcia expressed her pain in regularly checking her daughter’s iPhone location, a gift given just two weeks before the tragic incident.
“We gifted Amerie her first iPhone for her birthday, May 10th, 2 weeks before she was taken. I obviously had her location. It was turned off on May 24th. I find myself going back to look at it and it just breaks my heart,” Kimberly Garcia, mother of Amerie Garcia,10, who was among the 21 victims, wrote in a post on X.
“These are the little things that hurt the most to see.”
We gifted Amerie her first iPhone for her birthday, May 10th 2 weeks before she was taken. I obviously had her location. It was turned off May 24th. I find myself going back to look at it and it just breaks my heart.
— Kimberly Garcia (@kim_amerie) January 9, 2024
These are the little things that hurt the most to see. pic.twitter.com/g4B9YMRR7t
Nearly 18 months after the Uvalde mass shooting, Kimberly Mata-Rubio, a fierce advocate for stricter gun control and mother of Lexi, one of the 19 children killed, faced disappointment in her bid for Uvalde’s mayoral position. Cody Smith, the former mayor, emerged victorious with nearly two-thirds of the votes, while Mata-Rubio secured 33%. The election unfolded against the backdrop of a botched police response and nationwide debates on gun laws. Mata-Rubio’s Fight for Accountability and Transparency Continues
Undeterred by the election results, Kimberly Mata-Rubio expressed her commitment to fighting for accountability and transparency regarding the tragic loss of her daughter. Despite the setback, she vowed to pursue future political offices to ensure that change honors Lexi’s memory. Mata-Rubio, a vocal proponent of gun control measures, had raised the most campaign contributions among the candidates.
New Mayor’s Plans for Healing a Divided Community
Cody Smith, the newly elected mayor, has a challenging task ahead as he steps into a position previously marred by tragedy. Acknowledging the town’s divisions following the shooting, Smith, a banker with prior political experience, aims to unite Uvalde. The race saw Veronica Martinez, an elementary school art teacher, on the ballot, but Smith’s victory positions him to finish out the current mayor’s term.
Lingering Questions and Community Divisions
The aftermath of the Robb Elementary School shooting has left Uvalde grappling with deep divisions. Families of victims, including Mata-Rubio, advocated for stricter gun laws in Austin and Washington, D.C., prompting a rift in a town where gun ownership is commonplace. Lingering questions about the delayed police response persist, compounded by ongoing litigation affecting the demolition of Robb Elementary School.
Supporters of Mata-Rubio, who saw her as a strong candidate holding leaders accountable, express concern that some residents are eager to move on too quickly, potentially pushing the tragedy aside. Brett Cross, a grieving parent, praised Mata-Rubio’s commitment, while others questioned her political experience prior to the tragedy. The town’s divisions are evident as Uvalde grapples with the aftermath of the shooting.
Plans for Economic Success and Healing
As Smith assumes mayoral duties, attention turns to healing and future plans. Mata-Rubio’s disappointment is balanced with a commitment to working with Smith to unite the community. The election outcome underscores the challenges Uvalde faces as it navigates the delicate balance between honoring the victims, implementing change, and fostering economic success.
Amidst the ongoing challenges, there is a glimmer of hope with the groundbreaking for a new elementary school to replace Robb Elementary. The delayed demolition of the existing building due to ongoing litigation has not deterred efforts to move forward. The community looks ahead to a new chapter, hoping that the wounds inflicted by the tragic events of May 24, 2022, can eventually heal.
In the wake of the Uvalde mayoral election, the town stands at a crossroads, balancing the need for unity, healing, and addressing the aftermath of a tragedy that shook the community to its core. The echoes of the Robb Elementary School shooting continue to reverberate, shaping the path forward for Uvalde and its residents.
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