Three years have passed since the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers lost their lives. Among the survivors is Khloie Torres, a young girl whose courage that day saved lives, but whose trauma continues to shape her future.
‘She was so brave in there’
Khloie, now 13, was just 10 years old when a gunman stormed into her classroom on May 24, 2022. According to Khloie, she and her classmates were watching a movie when the shooter entered. Their teacher, Eva Mireles, attempted to close the door, but the gunman forced his way in.
He remained in the connected classrooms for 77 minutes, taking the lives of Khloie’s friends and both of her teachers.
In that horrific moment, Khloie pretended to be dead and repeatedly called 911 whenever she could. Her bravery has been recognized nationally, but the emotional toll remains.
Too traumatized to return
Khloie’s sister-in-law, Ruth Morales, says the trauma has made it difficult for her to return to a regular school setting.
“She’s tried to,” Ruth shared, “but it’s just hard… with everything that’s happened.”
Morales lives with Khloie and her family and says the wounds left by that day have not healed, especially when they see promises made by state and federal officials go unfulfilled in their entirety.
“I’m a little disappointed that they haven’t gone more forward with all the school safety protocols. I feel like it’s been long enough to have all that done already, especially considering everything,” Morales said.
A call for real school safety
Ruth says they still don’t see adequate safety at schools, even in Uvalde, where Khloie’s brother currently attends high school.
“There should be more police patrolling, someone at every exit and gate, just to make sure no one can come in or out unnoticed,” she said.
Which districts have complied with HB3?
Texas House Bill 3, passed in response to the Uvalde shooting, went into effect in September 2023. It requires armed officers on every public school campus.
In full compliance: Alvin, Cleveland, Humble, Waller, and Texas City ISDs
Partial compliance: Houston, Fort Bend, and Klein ISDs
Some districts have requested exemptions due to staffing shortages and a lack of funding.
‘It’s been long enough’
The Torres family says that despite the trauma and grief, they continue advocating for school safety so no other child or family endures what they’ve gone through.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Ruth said. “It’s been long enough to have all the school safety protocols done already, especially after everything.”
