Healing journey for El Pasoans continues on third anniversary of deadly Walmart shooting

EL PASO, Texas -- It's been three years since the deadly shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. 23 people were killed, many more injured.

The healing journey for the victims families and those who were there that morning has been difficult as wounds reopen in light of recent events, especially for Adria Gonzalez.

“One of the scariest moments of my life started from there," she said.

Adria saved multiple lives that day, flagging people down and dragging them through the back exits.

“That was our Walmart (so) I kind of knew where people would come in and go out," she said. “I even got a senior citizen...I got his crate, and I threw it. I don’t know where and I grabbed him and pushed him to the side of the doors."

This year. Adria said she’s frustrated and at times anxious as mass shooting across the country continue to take innocent lives. She said "solutions" should have already been made.

The triggering of events has become a concern for the United Family Resilency Center. The center, funded by the county and United Way, focuses on helping people who've been directly or indirectly impacted by the shooting with services like referrals, outreach and educational support groups and mental health and non-traditional mental health services.

"Going back to school has been a concern for many as well. COVID has also been a concern. It's been, a number of things," said the director, Idalhi Huizar-Mendoza.

The center has helped close to 400 hundred people just like Adria and are urging El Pasoans to seek help if need be.

"This is a community effort," Huizar-Mendoza said. “We want to make sure that (people) know they are supported, that we are there for them and we can connect them to services available in our community that can help and assist in their healing journey.”

Adria said this year, while difficult, she's getting help from her soon-to-be first born child; she's seven months pregnant.

“This pregnancy has changed me a lot to look at life in a more positive way” 

They say time heals all wounds. As we enter another tragic anniversary that statement rings true if we heal together.

“We have to remember that morning so we could learn and support each other and educate our children," Adria said. “And not forget, never forget.”