How community, celebrities supported Santa Fe in wake of tragedy

Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel of the Houston Astros; Justin Timberlake; and a Rockets' James Harden jersey. (KPRC2)

SANTA FE, Texas – Nearly one year ago, the fate of the community of Santa Fe, Texas, changed dramatically.

A student took the lives of people, according to authorities.

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In the wake of the tragedy, the Houston area and the country came to support the Santa Fe community.

Here's a look back at how that happened:

Houston Astros

The Astros held a moment of silence in support and memory of the victims and their families the night of the shooting. The Texas flags are Minute Maid Park were at half-staff. 

The team four days later wore green shirts with the words 'We Play For Santa Fe' on the front during batting practice. The Astros donated the proceeds from the game's Share2Care 50/50 raffle to the Santa Fe Strong Memorial Fund.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

J.J. Watt offered to pay for the funerals of the 10 people who were killed in the shooting.

Watt also visited two of the victims in the hospital, Clay Horn and Sarah Salazar.

The Texans invited the Santa Fe High School football team to a team practice. When the workout wrapped up, the Texans personally met with each player, took pictures and signed autographs. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien also announced that the Texans would make a $100,000 donation to the Santa Fe Strong Memorial Fund.

A couple of Texans players were on hand when the Santa Fe football team took the field for their first game in the fall. Texans center Greg Mancz and defensive end Chris Covington visited the school for the game.

Houston Rockets

Seniors at Santa Fe High School were given free tickets to Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals by Houston Rockets owner and Galveston County native Tilman Fertitta.

The Rockets wore a patch on their jersey with the words 'Santa Fe HS' on it. The black and red jerseys featured the special section of green and gold. The school's choir performed the national anthem, and the team's typical First Shot for Charity and 50/50 raffle benefited the Santa Fe Strong Memorial Fund. 

Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash

Houston's professional soccer teams honored the victims of Santa Fe High School. The teams entered the field wearing green-and-yellow shirts that read 'Santa Fe: We won't forget.' In the tenth minute of the soccer game, in honor of the 10 victims, the entire stadium went quiet and lit up with cell phones. Fans also left notes of hope and encouragement on a big banner, which was delivered to the community by the players.

Justin Timberlake

Photo: Instagram/AdamBuzz

About a week after the shooting, singer Justin Timberlake dedicated his show at Toyota Center to Santa Fe High School. 'JT' wore a green and gold Santa Fe Strong T-shirt in the last set of his show, honoring the memory of the 10 people who lost their lives.

The following day, Timberlake took time to visit some of the Santa Fe High School students who were recovering in the hospital, including Sarah Salazar.

During his visit with Salazar, Timberlake autographed a T-Shirt, writing 'Sarah, God Bless you' and promised her two V.I.P. tickets to his show the next time he was in Houston. Cut to January 2019 when Timberlake made good on his promise and Salazar had seats close to the stage.

President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he steps off Air Force One after arriving at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, May 31, 2018, in Houston.

About two weeks after the shooting, President Donald Trump met privately with the families of the Santa Fe shooting victims. A family member, who was present at the meeting, described the meeting as extremely emotional, as parents talked about the children they lost. The family member said Trump was personable, attentive, compassionate and sincere, as he talked about how his own son could not understand how this can happen.

Kendra Scott

The Kendra Scott jewelry store chain released a necklace to benefit the victims and their families. The company worked with Santa Fe High School staff members and alumni to design the #SantaFeStrong necklace, which features a rectangular green bar –- the school color. 


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