Gilbert Limones and a coworker at a funeral home were two of the first targets of the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school, and has been helping prepare for the young victims' burials and consoling families.
Gilbert Limones, one of the first targets of a gunman who killed 21 people at an elementary school, speaks during an interview at the church he pastors in Uvalde, Texas, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Limones, who came under fire outside the funeral home where he works near the school, wasn't hurt and has since helped prepare some of the young victims for burial.
Still, Limones tried to find the words to assuage his part of a heavily Hispanic town of 16,000 that's sad, confused and raw with emotion nearly two weeks after the slaughter. Satan brought confusion and hurt, he said, but the faithful have a defense. Limones said he recalls hearing someone yell about a weapon and then turning, only to hear the “pop, pop, pop” of gunfire behind him. The shooter was within about 150 feet of him but missed somehow, Limones said.
So, despite his brush with the killer, Limones went back to his job at the family-owned funeral home, which is small and was quickly overwhelmed. It put out a plea for donations including tissues and cleaning supplies and got help from morticians from outside Uvalde. “I have long journey ahead, but I know I’ll get through it. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who continue to grieve their loved ones,” said Reyes, who runs a small plant and gift store when not teaching.