Amerie Jo Garza was known to be protective of her baby brother Zayne — as well as anyone else who needed her protection.
Amerie would kiss the toddler in her home every morning before she left for school, her grandmother, Berlinda Arreola, told People Magazine.
However, on the morning of May 24, 2022, Amerie would kiss Zayne for the last time.
Hours after she arrived at her Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Amerie and 20 others would have their lives cut short in a mass shooting.
But true to her nature, ten-year-old Amerie went down as a hero.
She was trying to dial 911 on her cellphone when she was shot, Arreola said.
A vanilla bean frappe and Chick-fil-A lover, Amerie was known by her family as a diva who detested dresses. She dreamed of becoming an art teacher.
“My little love is now flying high with the angels above,” Amerie’s dad, Angel Garza, wrote on Facebook.
“Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie Jo. Watch over your baby brother for me.”
* Images of Amerie Jo Garza reproduced from her tribute video on hillcrestmemorial.com
* Tribute adapted from Jayce’s official obituary on hillcrestmemorial.com
