Tejano community attend funeral of Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia, one of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting

Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia was on of the 21 people killed at the Uvalde school shooting on May 24, 2022. | Courtesy photo

UVALDE, TX — Members of the Tejano community were on hand for the funeral of Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia on Monday. “Ellie” was one of the 19 children killed in the Uvalde, Texas school shooting on May 24 and is the daughter of popular Tejano radio personality “Freestyle” Steve Garcia, who spent a few years on the air at U-102.3 FM (KUVA).

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Tejano stars that attended the burial included Johnny Arreola, a former member of Los Palominos, singer Crystal Torres, Carlos Rodriguez and Matthew Luna of Carlos Y Los Cachorros, and Mateo Padilla of Grupo Eztilo, performing songs in honor of the nine-year-old, who loved basketball, Ramen noodles, dancing and the Disney movie Encanto.

Rodriguez stated, “I have always turned away funerals but this whole Uvalde incident has hit me hard and hurt my soul. My compadre Matthew Luna and I were able to sing a few songs at the last minute for our brotha from another mother Steven Garcia for his daughter’s funeral Ellie Garcia. I wasn’t sure I’d make it through the song. So much emotion but it was beautiful to see so many people gather for this beautiful little Angel. Her coffin was beautiful, the whole service was beautiful. As sad as it was to say goodbye it was wonderful to see all the love & support in Uvalde, Texas there for the family.”

Carlos Rodriguez and Matthew Luna perform “Te Vas Angel Mio” at Eliahna Garcia’s funeral in Uvalde, Texas on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Ellie’s father, Steve, commented on the performances, “I can’t tell you how much this meant to me… this was the world to her… yes I’m talking about music she loved loved loved it and my brothers Carlos Rodriguez, Matthew Luna, Crystal Garza (Torres) and Mateo Padilla did amazing thank y’all so much! I love y’all for life!”

Singer and actress Adassa, who portrayed the voice of “Dolores” in the Disney film Encanto shared an emotional video message for the Garcia family. She said, “As a mother of seven I cannot even imagine the pain you must all be going through. My prayers go out to you and all the families that are grieving this moment. Thought the pain will take awhile to subside there is a community of people that stand beside you and will hold you up throught these trying times…Ellie’s life will be remembered forever. She was a loving, joyous spirit filled with a bright future that tragically will never be but her memory will live on forever in my heart and I know in the heart of so many people around the world.”

Ellie was buried in a custom-made Encanto dress that was gifted to her by the Walt Disney costume design team.

Tejano Nation sends condolenses to the Garcia family and all those affected by the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde two weeks ago.

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