A second hero teacher killed in the Texas elementary school mass shooting horror has been named with a tribute describing how the "kind" teacher sacrificed herself protecting children in her classroom.
Mum-of-four Irma Garcia, 46, has been named by devastated family and friends in the early hours of today.
It comes after co-teacher Eva Mireles, 44, was one of the first victims to be identified after a teenage gunman ran riot at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday evening.
Speaking on Facebook, a nephew of Irma Garcia wrote: "My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, i beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers , IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. she was loved by many and will truly be missed."
Irma and Eva are two of four adults known to have died in the horror shooting - the other two being shooter Salvador Ramos and his grandmother.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Irma's family.
A tribute on the page reads: "Irma Garcia. A wife and mother to 4 children. Sweet, kind, loving. Fun with the greatest personality. A wonderful 4th grade teacher at Robb Elementary that was a victim in a Texas school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
"She sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom. She was a hero. She was loved by many and will truly be missed. Funds will be given to help the family for needs and funeral expenses.
"We love you so much Irma. The Martinez Family."
Local media claims Irma spent her entire 23-year career at Robb Elementary school and was previously nominated as a teacher of the year by the Uvalde Independent School District in 2019.
Her teacher profile said the mum-of-four loved barbecuing with her husband and listening to music.
Friend Danielle Boone also posted a tribute to Irma on Facebook, writing: "No words are good enough. Irma Garcia was a sweet, funny, and gorgeous soul.
"My heart aches for her amazing family. I’m so heartbroken. Lord please be with them all during this nightmare."
The other teacher killed in the shooting was Eva Mireles - a 44-year-old wife and mum and special education teacher at Robb Elementary who had worked in the school district for 17 years.
Her aunt Lydia Martinez Delgado told the New York Times her niece had been shot and killed while trying to shield the children in her classroom on Tuesday and that she was "very loved".
“She was the fun of the party," Ms Delgado said.
Ms Mireles was married to local policeman Ruben Ruiz, 43, and her profile on the school website describes her as having a college-aged daughter.
It stated: “I’ve been an educator for 17 years. I’ve been Co-teaching with Mrs. Garcia for 5 years.
“I have a supportive, fun, and loving family, which includes a UCISD officer (Ruiz), college graduate daughter (Adalynn), and 3 furry friends(Callie, Kane,& Koda). I love running, hiking, and now you just might see me riding a bike!!”
Ms Delgado spoke of her fury at the way the shootings continue to take place in the US following her niece's death.
She stated: "I'm furious that these shootings continue. these children are innocent. Rifles should not be easily available to all. This is my hometown, a small community of less than 20,000.
"I never imagined this would happen to especially loved ones ... All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools, and especially the families of all."
