San Elizario plants 22 trees in honor of August 3rd victims

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas - Six months after the August 3rd tragedy, San Elizario volunteers planted a tree in honor of each victim's life.

"It shows strength in El Paso," said Samuel Williams, one volunteer. "These are oak trees. If you think about it, they'll be here for at least 100 years."

The ceremony took place at Alarcon Ball Park on Saturday morning.

"We're trying to turn something positive out of that tragedy," said Dr. Jeannie Meza-Chavez, the superintendent for San Elizario Independent School District. "In tragedies, I know that our city comes together."

There was also a six-minute ceremony between 10:39-10:45 AM, which was the time frame that a lone gunman killed 22 people, according to El Paso Police.

Saturday's ceremony in San Elizario took place about 17 miles from the site of the mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart.

"We want to make sure that the victims are remembered by the unity and the love that our communities all share," said Dr. Meza-Chavez.