Despite Many Others Moving on, Brother of Uvalde Shooting Victim Hasn’t
By Justin Valle
Editor’s note: Red Line Project reporter and UIC student Justin Valle interviewed his cousin, Julian Salazar about Julian’s younger sister, Layla, who died in the Uvalde school shooting. This Q&A has outtakes from their conversation. Journalists typically don’t interview family for stories, but the sensitive nature of this piece deemed it appropriate.
On May 24, 19 children and two teachers would attend their elementary school for what would be the final time.
That day, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos entered Robb Elementary and shot people with an AR-15. Of the 19 children killed, all ranged from 9 to 11 years old.
One of the children was Layla Salazar, of the age only 11. Layla was a sassy, yet sweet girl with ambitions of running track, becoming viral on TikTok, and cheering the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl win.
While those ambitions will not be fulfilled, her legacy lives on, mainly through her family. Julian Salazar, 26, is one of her brothers. To her family, it’s important that her name lives on, which is why her older brother, Julian, gave some more insight into his younger sister and the impacts of this incident has had on the lives of those that knew her.
Valle: Julian, how have you been doing recently?
Salazar: I’ve been going to work to stay busy. I got a photo for her on my wall up in my room, so I think about her alot. That doesn’t go away
Valle: Following the shooting many people in the Uvalde community or Uvalde county kinda came together to promote the “Uvalde Strong” campaign. Knowing you were directly affected, did you feel any pressure to follow this type of campaign?
Salazar: No. It wasn’t difficult because everything was so random. Uvalde is quiet and small so basically it was weird. I wasn’t the only one, my mom, my dad, my brother, and of course there was others or everybody else. Plus all of it was for my sister or victims so I had no problems celebrating Uvalde strong
Valle: What was it like seeing LeBron James and other celebrities demand change for gun laws?
Salazar: I thought it was surreal. Uvalde was in the news for the wrong reasons. That wasn’t what Uvalde wanted. Seeing him and [Golden State Warriors Coach] Steve Kerr say stuff meant a lot. For these celebrities to know about what’s happening in a small town is surreal.
Valle: Most noteworthy of all the celebrities who paid homage or commented on Uvalde was President Biden. Now, you actually got to sit down and meet with the President. Can you expand on what that meeting was like?
Salazar: Yeah, the meeting was pretty cool. It was cool because I never met anyone big. I never met anyone big like him. And I was scared too. And, and, and it’s funny, because he ended up coming to the table. We were all sitting and I spilled my glass of water. I spilled water right in front of the President. I was like, I’m sorry Mr. President. I was nervous. Uh, I don’t know how to act around big people
Valle: Now, that happened very, very shortly after the incident in Uvalde right?
Salazar: Yeah, yeah
Valle: What was that summer like? Did you spend the rest of the summer in Uvalde?
Salazar: I spent the rest of the summer in Elgin [Illinois].
Valle: Were you in Elgin when the shooting at the parade in Highland Park occurred?
Salazar: Yes
Valle: What emotions arose when that event happened?
Salazar: The emotions I felt were like, man what a shame. Like I know exactly how everyone felt. I was watching the news. And basically, I saw people crying and I thought man I know what they are going through. Um, it brought back learning my sister got killed. I mean, I wasn’t angry. But like, I guess. I was like, more like, I can’t believe this happening again.
Valle: Now, something that actually did anger a majority of the country was the leak of a video that contained images and video audio of inside Robb Elementary. Now, like I said, because this video was leaked, how much of a surprise was it to you? And how did this video affect you and your family?
Salazar: I don’t think the video should have been released on social media plus the public is bad because nobody was thinking about how the families of the kids would feel. As soon as they got out. It brought back that day where we first heard everything that happened. I didn’t know how my sister was or if she was crying and probably calling our names now we wouldn’t see her. And I’ve only seen that video two times. Having to hear all the sounds and hearing the kids cry was horrible.
Valle: Now, I’m sure during this time, you kind of relied on your family. I know that you actually had a lot of family from Elgin or from the surrounding areas and counties in Texas come to you guys in the middle of June. How did this help? Did it make things easier? Did it make things more difficult? What was it like when you had a lot of family come to you guys nearing the funeral for your sister?
Salazar: Honestly having to see everyone really helped me. Just to know we weren’t the only ones. Just to know, we weren’t the only ones that were going through alone. I was so happy that everyone came to support. Everything made me feel good.
Valle : Julian, once again, I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I really appreciate it and I wish you and your family nothing but the best going forward. Sir. Thank you.
Salazar:You’re welcome.
The following excerpt is from an interview with Julian Salazar, 26. Julian is the brother of Layla Salazar, 11. Layla was one of the 21 victims at the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
