A STAR student who tried to save her classmates in the Texas school massacre was shot dead as she tried to call 911 for help.
Amerie Jo Garza, 10, had just been photographed holding her honour roll certificate when Salvador Ramos pointed a gun right in her face, after telling her and her friends: "You're going to die."
Ramos opened fire with an AR-15 he bought legally on his 18th birthday, systematically killing 19 children and two teachers he had taken hostage.
He had blocked all of their escape routes at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
Berlinda Irene Arreola said twisted Ramos killed her "super-outgoing, teacher's pet" granddaughter before she could be connected to police.
She said: "Instead of grabbing it [her phone] 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 her blood.
"She died a hero trying to get help for her and her fellow classmates." The children, all under 12, had been finishing their last days of school before breaking up for the summer when Ramos entered their classroom.
An unnamed nine-year-old boy survived after being shot in the leg.
His grandmother said the massacre took place in his classroom, adding: "He said he was scared, but he's fine.
"It didn't do any damage, hopefully no nerve damage and stuff, but he was released. We thank God for that.
"We're praying for all of the children that were taken by this mass murderer"
It was the worst US school shooting since the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, which left 26 dead. Hospital officials said 15 pupils and four adults were wounded in the latest atrocity.
Ramos was killed by police at the scene.
This story is from the May 26, 2022 edition of Daily Record.
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This story is from the May 26, 2022 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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