Texas Mom Takes Oscars Stage to Highlight Gun Violence After Daughter's Death

Gloria Cazares, whose 9-year-old daughter was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting, emotionally addresses the impact of gun violence on children.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gloria Cazares, a Texas mother whose 9-year-old daughter Jackie was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting, took the stage at the Oscars to share an emotional message about gun violence and its impact on children. Cazares appeared after the documentary short "All the Empty Rooms" won the Oscar, which featured stories of families who lost children in school shootings. Cazares used the platform to highlight that gun violence is now the number one cause of death in kids and teens in the United States.

Why it matters

Cazares' appearance at the Oscars brought national attention to the devastating impact of gun violence on children and families, particularly in the wake of high-profile school shootings like the one that claimed her daughter's life. Her message underscores the urgent need for solutions to address this public health crisis.

The details

During her Oscars appearance, Cazares told the audience, "My daughter Jackie was 9 years old when she was killed in Uvalde. Since that day, her bedroom has been frozen in time. Jackie is more than just a headline. She is our light and our life." Cazares also noted that the documentary "All the Empty Rooms," which won the Oscar, features stories of families who lost children in school shootings, with the goal of helping people better understand the profound loss experienced by these families.

  • On March 16, 2026, Gloria Cazares took the stage at the Oscars.
  • In 2024, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman interviewed families who had lost children in school shootings for the documentary "All the Empty Rooms."

The players

Gloria Cazares

A Texas mother whose 9-year-old daughter Jackie was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Jackie Cazares

Gloria Cazares' 9-year-old daughter who was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Steve Hartman

A CBS News correspondent who created the documentary "All the Empty Rooms," which features stories of families who lost children in school shootings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My daughter Jackie was 9 years old when she was killed in Uvalde. Since that day, her bedroom has been frozen in time. Jackie is more than just a headline. She is our light and our life.”

— Gloria Cazares

“Part of the reason they invited us in was they're often told, 'I can't imagine what you're going through.' And one mom said, 'Well, you need to imagine what we're going through.'”

— Steve Hartman, CBS News correspondent

“You look around and it's like she just left. You can get to know the child almost better than just photographs.”

— Steve Hartman, CBS News correspondent

What’s next

The documentary "All the Empty Rooms" is expected to have a wider release and screening in the coming months, allowing more people to learn about the impact of gun violence on families.

The takeaway

Cazares' emotional appeal at the Oscars underscores the urgent need to address gun violence and its devastating toll on children and families across the United States. Her message, amplified by the national platform, serves as a powerful call to action for policymakers, community leaders, and the public to work together to find solutions that can prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.