This week, tragedy struck El Paso - a community that has opened up its
doors so graciously to Team Beto and welcomed us in as if we’ve lived here
our entire lives. The strength and courage we’ve seen from people across
this city, and our binational neighbors in Juárez, have shown that this
community will not be defined by division or hate - but by love and
compassion.
In this issue, we are honoring those lost and the acts of heroism and
resilience we’ve seen across El Paso.
#ElPasoStrong
On Saturday, we lost 22 innocent lives. We have the power to end this
epidemic. Let us do better for them, for ourselves, and for the next
generation:
Javier Rodríguez. 15. Javier was getting ready to start his sophomore
year, a soccer player ready to start another season. His whole life ahead
of him. His sister says she “lost my everything, my best friend.”
His classmates organized a vigil for him. No student should ever have to
do that. We must not accept this epidemic as a new normal or the status
quo. Let’s do better for this generation and the ones that follow.
Jordan Anchondo. 24 years-old. She went to Walmart to buy school
supplies—and decorations for her daughter’s 6th birthday party. When the
gunman entered, she shielded her 2-month-old son. Jordan didn’t make it,
but her son did.
Andre Anchondo. Jordan’s husband. 23 years-old. They married last year.
He’d just finished building their family a home. Saturday was going to be
the first time family & friends would see it. But he, too, was
killed—while shielding his wife, who was shielding their son.
Arturo Benavides. 60 years-old. An Army veteran and a bus driver—he spent
his life serving our community and our country. His wife was with him in
Walmart. She made it out. He did not.
David Johnson. 63 years-old. When hatred entered Walmart on Saturday
morning, David responded by protecting his wife and his 9 year-old
granddaughter. He passed away, but they survived.
Jorge Calvillo García. At 61 years-old, Jorge passed away this weekend
while he was protecting his granddaughter. He was from Torreón, Mexico.
His son, Luis Calvillo, was shot as well. They were outside of Walmart on
Saturday, raising funds for EP Fusion, a local girl’s soccer team.
María Eugenia Legarreta Rothe. María is from Chihuahua, Mexico—and was
only here so she could be at the El Paso airport when her daughter
arrived. She was 58 years-old.
Teresa Sanchez. At 82 years-old, Teresa bore the brunt of evil on
Saturday. She was from Mexico as well.
Luis Alfonzo Juárez. 90 years-old. His wife, who he’d been married to for
almost 70 years, was also a victim of Saturday’s shooting. He didn’t make
it—but thankfully, she did. Beto was able to meet their family at the
hospital, and they're showing this community's strength.
Gloria Irma Márquez. A mother of four and a grandmother, Gloria was from
Juárez—part of our binational community. She lost her life at 61 years-old
because this country failed to protect her.
Iván Manzano. Like Gloria, Iván was from Juárez, where so many of our
neighbors live. He was 46 years-old when he lost his life in our country.
Elsa Mendoza Márquez. 57 years-old. Elsa lived across the border in
Juárez, where she was a teacher. When she ran into Walmart on Saturday to
buy supplies for her students in Juárez, her husband and son waited
outside in the car. They survived the shooting. Tragically, she did not.
Sara Esther Regalado. 66 years-old. Adolfo Cerros Hernández. 68 years-old.
They, too, were from Mexico—and are remembered as being loving parents. “I
don’t know how long it will take for my soul to heal,” their daughter
wrote.
Alexander Gerhard Hoffman. Alexander also wasn’t from the United States.
He was from Germany—but he lost his life visiting our country at 66
years-old.
Maria Flores and Raúl Flores. The couple went to Walmart on Saturday
morning and never came home. They were 77 years-old. Both of them.
Angie Silva Englisbee. 86 years-old. This wasn’t the first time Angie
experienced tragedy. Her husband died at 38 years-old, leaving her to
raise seven kids by herself. Her grandson called her “the hero of our
family.” She, too, was killed.
Leo Campos. 41 years-old. Maribel Hernandez. 56 years-old. They went to
Walmart after leaving their dog to be groomed. When Maribel’s brother
heard they never came to pick him up, he feared the worst. Soon, it was
confirmed: Leo and Maribel had both lost their lives.
Margie Reckard. 63 years-old. “I’m like a puppy run away from its momma,”
said Antonio Basco, her husband of 22 years. “But my wife, she’d say, ‘Get
up off your rear end.” He continued: “I know she’s looking down and she’s
smiling.”
Juan de Dios Velázquez Chairez. Juan and his wife, Nicholasa, shopped
together every week. Juan was from Zacatecas, Mexico, but had lived in El
Paso for two years. Nicholasa was injured in the shooting. Juan lost his
life at 77 years-old.
Courage. Strength. Resilience.
This is Chris. He is a hero. He was at the Walmart on Saturday with his
mom. When he heard gunshots, he made sure his mom was okay, then he ran
towards the killer and threw bottles of apple juice at him to distract
him. Even though he knew it meant he would be in the line of fire. We are
so glad Chris is recovering and honored that he calls this community
home.
This is [ [link removed] ]Gilbert. He was working at Walmart on Saturday. When he heard
shots in the store he led nearly 100 people out of a back door, then ran
back inside to help more people. El Paso will not be defined by Saturday’s
attack. It will be defined by heroes like Gilbert.
This is [ [link removed] ]Glendon. He was at the Cielo Vista mall when the attack
occurred. He was exiting the mall when he saw a number of children at the
mall without their parents. Without taking a minute to think, he ran
towards the kids and tried to carry as many as he could to safety. We are
honored, grateful and inspired by his bravery.
This is Tinkerbell. Beto met her at University Medical Center in El Paso,
where she was providing support and love to family members of victims and
survivors of the El Paso attack.
“We are the sun city and no darkness will be able to dim our light.” -
Mari, Student Body President, El Dorado High School, El Paso, Texas
Note from Amy O'Rourke
“Over this past week, Beto and I have met survivors and their families at
the hospitals, attended vigils, donated blood— anything that seemed like
it would help. As I write this, we’ve just returned from going to the
makeshift memorial outside the Walmart. It has been full of people all
day, every day...
“We are a beautiful city, full of beautiful people. It has been clear to
me since I moved here 15 years ago, and it shined through so powerfully
following the shooting. The outpouring of love, support, and strength
could be seen everywhere and from everyone. But we are not insulated from
the rest of the country. That much became clear to us last Saturday.”
[ [link removed] ]Read Amy’s full note to Team Beto on Medium.
Sister Cities
El Paso and Ciudad Juárez make up the largest binational community in the
Western Hemisphere. Our connection runs deeper than geography - and our
ties create something far greater than the sum of our parts.
Yesterday, Beto crossed the international bridge to Juárez to attend the
funeral of one of the seven Mexican nationals who was killed during
Saturday’s attack. During Beto’s visit, he met with Chihuahua Governor
Javier Corral Jurado and Armando Cabada, Municipal President of Ciudad
Juárez. Together the three showed that this binational community is
stronger and closer than it has ever been.
To support the families of those we lost and those affected by the attack
on Saturday, please consider donating to the El Paso Community
Foundation.
[ [link removed] ]Donate now
Thank you for standing with El Paso and with Beto.
- Jen
Contribute to Beto's campaign: [link removed]
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P.O. Box 3628 El Paso, TX 79923
