As horrific as it was learning of the news that 19 kids and two teachers were killed by a school shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, there’s one hero from the heartbreaking event that deserves to be recognized.
Jacob Albarado, an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection agent, ran into the school with the school shooter still inside, carrying his barber’s shotgun, after his wife, Trisha, told him that there was an active shooter in the school, according to the New York Times.
Sure enough, he saved dozens of children including his daughter during the courageous move.
Trisha, a fourth grade teacher at Uvalde, texted her husband who had just sat down for a haircut:
“There’s an active shooter… Help… I love you.”
He immediately hopped out of the barber chair, grabbed his barber’s shotgun, and headed towards the school.
His daughter, who’s in second grade, was locked inside a bathroom while Trisha was hiding under desks with her students.
A tactical team was getting ready to step into the school when he arrived, so he joined the other officers, entered the school and evacuated as many students as possible.
He entered the wing of the school where his daughter was located first and began clearing classrooms, eventually finding his daughter safe and sound. After a quick hug, he continued on, rescuing more students while two officers provided cover.
“I did what I was trained to do.”
According to the New York Post, Jacob expressed his grief and anger in a Facebook post following the tragic shooting:
“I’m so angry, saddened and grateful all at once. Only time will heal their pain and hopefully changes will be made at all schools in the U.S. and teachers will be trained & allowed to carry in order to protect themselves and students.”
No doubt about it, the man is a hero… if only we had more like him.
The Husband Of Teacher Killed In Uvalde School Shooting Dies Of A Heart Attack
Just an unthinkable tragedy that most of the country is still struggling to even comprehend.
One of the teachers who passed away was 48-year-old teacher Irma Garcia, who died while protecting the children in the classroom. She left behind a husband and four children.
Now, as the families, as well as the community, struggle to pick up the pieces, overwhelmed by unimaginable grief, The Dallas Morning News reports that Garcia’s husband of 24 years, Joe, has reportedly died of a heart attack just two days after the death of his wife.
Garcia’s nephew, John Martinez, posted on Twitter, saying he passed away due to the grief of losing his wife:
“EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia passed away due to grief.
I truly am at a loss for words for how we are all feeling, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY, God have mercy on us, this isn’t easy.”
Absolutely tragic news, and our hearts and prayers go out to the Garcia family.
In 2019, Garcia was named a finalist for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching, an award bestowed upon exceptional teachers in the San Antonio area by Trinity University.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help those in the family as well.
