Families of Uvalde victims honor loved ones with Valentine's Day tributes

UVALDE, Texas (WOAI/KABB) — There was a special sight in downtown Uvalde on Tuesday in celebration of Valentine's Day.

The plaza is filled with decorations for the victims of the Uvalde mass shooting at Robb Elementary that killed 19 students and two teachers.

It means a lot, it goes to show there are people that still remember and aren't quick to forget,” Brett Cross said.

He lost his son Uziyah Garcia in the May 24, 2022, shooting.

“We want them to be remembered and we’re going to continue to celebrate every holiday that comes around as they are still here and part of our lives because they are still part of our lives," Berlinda Arreola said.

She lost her granddaughter Amerie Jo Garza in the shooting.

Bright pink and red keepsakes are scattered across the plaza including stuffed animals, balloons and heart-shaped wreaths. There are also Valentine’s Day cards sent from the Highland Park community in Illinois, a place that was also impacted by a mass shooting in 2022.

“I just want to thank everyone who did come and leave something special for these kids. Whether it was just a card of a stuffed animal, it really does truly mean a lot to us,” Nikki Cross said, who, along with Brett Cross, also lost her son Uziyah Garcia.

Many of the families visiting the plaza said the site has extra special meaning for them, as it was one of the first places they gathered as a family following the shooting.

They also said keeping their loved ones' memories alive by filling the plaza with decorations means the world to them.