Texas School Shooting: Parents Submit DNA Swabs to Help Identify Victims

Parents and family members of the victims of the Texas school shooting have been lining up at the auditorium of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde to subject themselves to DNA swabs to help investigators identify the bodies.

Of the 19 students and two teachers killed during the attack on Tuesday, May 24, only a handful of victims were positively identified so far. Distinct cries echoed in the auditorium as families await more words from the investigators.

According to the New York Post, teachers Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles, who taught fourth-graders, were fatally killed by the gunman, Salvador Ramos, 18. Also shot dead were Rojelio Torres, Amerie Jo Garza, and Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, all 10 years old.

Xavier Lopez, also 10, was the first victim identified by his family while the parents of Nevaeh Bravo and Uziyah Garcia announced their children's death as well.

But some parents have yet to account for their children as the violent attacks have left their faces unrecognizable. Thus, the investigators have provided DNA swabs at the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center.

Read Also: Buffalo Mass Shooting: Mom Learns Daughter Died in Racist Attack on Facebook; Fire Chief's Mom Also a Victim

Texas School Shooting Gunman Salvador Ramos Had a Troubled Home Life

The gunman's motives are still under investigation. He was also killed in the attack after the police responded to the incident. Reports cited, however, that he walked into Robb Elementary School with body armor, a semi-automatic rifle, and a handgun.

The New York Times stated that Ramos worked as a night manager at a Wendy's outlet in Uvalde. His colleagues described him as someone who liked to kid around but no one at work had a deeper friendship with the 18-year-old. He apparently liked to keep himself.

Some of Ramos's friends outside of work, however, also said that he had quite a temper and would talk back to his parents. These friends said he was capable of carrying out a violent massacre.

His former schoolmates recalled that he was a bullied child as kids liked to tease him because he had a speech problem. Ramos had a difficult home life and didn't have a positive influence around him.

Towards his final months of high school, Ramos apparently missed classes he was not on track to graduate in 2022.

One of his friends also recalled that Ramos posted photos of his firearms wishlist more than a year ago. Prior to the Texas school shooting, Ramos apparently wounded his grandmother when he left the house on the day of the shooting.

Reactions to the Texas School Shooting

In the hours following the tragedy, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to the nation to call for action and prevent this carnage. First Lady Jill Biden also posted a tweet saying that she is "stunned, angry and heartbroken."

Former presidents Barack Omaba and Bill Clinton also expressed their hearts breaks for the children and their families. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that America is "becoming a nation of anguished screams" and she called for a stop to the gun violence.

Celebrities also reacted to the tragedy. Golden State Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, talked about gun violence before the start of the NBA Western Conference Game 4.

Actor Matthew McConaughey, who grew up in Uvalde, shared a long note on his social media account, per Today. Taylor Swift reposted Kerr's emotional press conference and said that she's filled with rage and grief over the murders of the children.

The cast of "This Is Us," whose series finale was airing that night, consoled the victims and their families. Captain America star, Chris Evans, simply tweeted, "F---ing enough!!!!" to express his anger.

Related Article: Texas School District Allows Teachers Armed With Guns in School With Community's Support