Grieving husband of teacher slain in Texas shooting dies from heart attack, family says

The husband of Irma Garcia, just one of two fourth quality teachers who had been killed in the course of Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, has died from a heart attack.

Joe Garcia’s demise arrives just days right after the massacre in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 little ones and two grown ups ended up killed.

On Thursday, John Martinez, who is Irma Garcia’s nephew, confirmed the loss of life of Joe Garcia in a telephone simply call with NBC News.

“I was advised he went to go produce flowers for Irma at the memorial for her,” Martinez stated. “When he got residence, he was at dwelling for no extra than 3 minutes after sitting down on a chair with the spouse and children he just fell about. They experimented with performing chest compressions and nothing at all labored.”

He ongoing, “The ambulance arrived and they could not, they could not provide them back again.”

Martinez shared that he realized this info just after his younger brother named him and only explained to him to “‘Please pray for Joe.’”

He said his brother did not have all the details about what happened. Martinez added, “And then I get a phone I assume, no far more than 30 minutes later on with him crying and declaring he did not make it.”

Irma Garcia’s nephew informed NBC Information: “I do not even know how to feel. I don’t imagine it. I never want to feel it.”

Martinez initially posted about Joe Garcia’s loss of life on Twitter on Thursday early morning.

“EXTREMELY heartbreaking and arrive with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia has handed absent owing to grief,” he wrote. “I certainly am at a decline for text for how we are all experience, You should PRAY FOR OUR Family, God have mercy on us, this is not uncomplicated.”

In accordance to Irma Garcia’s bio on the Robb Elementary College web page, she was married to her partner for 24 several years. They shared 4 small children collectively.

“I like to BBQ with my spouse, hear to audio, and choose country cruises to Concan,” her introduction on the internet site said.

Irma Garcia used all 23 decades of her educating vocation doing work at Robb Elementary College.

She was gunned down alongside with fellow fourth quality instructor Eva Mireles. The two educators taught together for five several years.

Tale continues

One particular of Irma Garcia’s sons, Christian, shared with NBC News that police advised him his mom was killed when shielding her pupils from the gunman. Mireles’ daughter, Adalynn Ruiz, reported in a pair of psychological social media posts that her mom also died hoping to secure her college students.

A close friend of Irma Garcia’s referred to her as “Just a stunning soul” when speaking with NBC News’ Morgan Chesky.

“Someone who beloved youngsters. An individual you respected because she was just a superior human being,” the buddy mentioned.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott verified that the suspected gunman was an 18-year-outdated guy who attended a nearby substantial college. He was fatally shot by legislation enforcement soon after the massacre.