The husband of one of the teachers killed in the massacre at a school in Uvalde, Texas, died on Thursday (26) of a heart attack during his grieving process.
Joe Garcia, 50, was preparing for the funeral of Irma Garcia, 46, one of two teachers killed in the worst attack on a US children’s institution in nearly 10 years. According to The New York Times, on Thursday, he visited the memorial in honor of the victims to leave flowers.
Joe’s death was made public by his nephew. “My Aunt Irma’s husband died due to grief. Please pray for our family,” wrote John Martinez on social media.
Joe and Irma have been married for 24 years and have four children — the oldest is 23. According to witnesses, the teacher died trying to protect her students.​
In addition to Irma, Eva Mireles, who taught fourth grade, was another teacher killed during the attack. Neighbors say the teacher was a good-natured and usually smiling person. “She brought the neighborhood together,” says Javier Garcia, 18.
On Thursday, witnesses to the massacre complained of what they see as a delay by the police to neutralize the shooter. Salvador Ramos, 18, reportedly stayed inside the institution for at least 40 minutes before being killed by security agents.
The attack shot dead 19 children and two adults. Ramos’ adolescence was marked by bullying and family problems and bought firearms shortly after turning 18.
US President Joe Biden is due to visit Uvalde on Sunday and urged lawmakers to stand up to what he calls a “powerful gun lobby” and pass “common-sense gun reforms”. The massacre in Uvalde is considered the worst in a children’s institution in the US in nearly ten years.
