When a gunman opened fire with an AR-15 at a large high school in south Florida, the 17 dead included students and school workers, young and old.
#MediaAlert: Download the probable cause affidavit, timeline of events and names of the deceased from the February 14, 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School by clicking on the link: https://t.co/43K81RNa4v
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 15, 2018
Here is a look at the 17 confirmed dead by authorities in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School:
Aaron Feis, 37
It is with Great sadness that our Football Family has learned about the death of Aaron Feis. He was our Assistant Football Coach and security guard. He selflessly shielded students from the shooter when he was shot. He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories pic.twitter.com/O181FvuHl3
— Stoneman Douglas Football (@MSDEagles) February 15, 2018
Assistant football coach Aaron Feis was shot to death while selflessly shielding students from bullets. A tweet from the school football program ended: “He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories.”
Feis graduated from the school in 1999 and worked mainly with the junior varsity, the team website said. It said he lived in nearby Coral Springs with his wife and daughter.
The team website said Feis spent his entire coaching career at Marjory Stoneman after playing there as a student.
The Sun Sentinel reported that Feis, acting as a school security guard, responded to the original call on a school walkie-talkie. Someone on the radio asked if loud sounds they heard were firecrackers, said football coach Willis May, who also carries a radio.
“I heard Aaron say, ‘No, that is not firecrackers.’ That’s the last I heard of him,” May said.
___
Joaquin Oliver, 17
Joaquin Oliver was known by his nickname “Guac,” short for “guacamole,” because many couldn’t pronounce his first name.
“My friend will literally never get to say, ‘I graduated high school,'” said Tyra Hemans, a 19-year-old who said she has been friends with Oliver since they were freshmen.
Hemans said she last saw her friend at school the day of the shooting.
“It was just a brief ‘Happy Valentines,'” she said. “He was with his girlfriend and I was just like, ‘Oh my God, you guys are so cute.”
She added, “He’s just a goofball. He’s the only kid you’d know that would dye his hair bleach blond, walk around school, put some tiger stripes in and just be unique. He was a unique soul.”
Joaquin Oliver died in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Tyra Hermans said she’d been friends with Oliver since her freshman year and saw her pal for the last time before the shooting began Wednesday. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/EhWHuv37tC
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Christopher Hixon, 49
A married father of two and the athletic director at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Chris Hixon wasn’t shy about jumping in wherever he was needed, said friend and one-time colleague Dianne Sanzari.
Hixon was a member of a Roman Catholic church in Hollywood. The Archdiocese of Miami confirmed his death Thursday.
When a volleyball team needed a fill-in coach, Hixon took over; the same thing happened with the wrestling team, Sanzari said. And when the school needed someone to patrol the campus and monitor threats as a security specialist, Hixon did that, too.
It was in that security role that Hixon apparently came within range of the shooter.
School athletic director Chris Hixon, 49, was a Naval Reservist. #DouglasHighSchool pic.twitter.com/QiIrrD40eb
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 15, 2018
___
Meadow Pollack, 18
Meadow Pollack’s parents called her phone repeatedly only to hear it ring, as they kept an anxious vigil outside the hospital. But on Thursday, her father, Andrew Pollack, confirmed that his daughter was among the dead, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Eighteen-year-old Pollack, a senior, had planned to attend Lynn University, her father said.
“Her life was taken way too soon and I have no words to describe how this feels,” friend Gii Lovito posted on Facebook.
Family friend Adam Schachtel said in a Facebook post that “an angel was taken away from us in that horrific tragedy … no words can be said so just prayers and sadness.”
Meadow Pollack was missing in the immediate aftermath of the #Parkland attack. Her father, Andrew Pollack, confirmed his daughter’s death Thursday morning. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb pic.twitter.com/rfivYz2gWQ
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14
An amateur soccer club said one of its players, Alyssa Alhadeff, was among the students killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Parkland Soccer Club posted on its Facebook page that Alhadeff was a “loved and well respected member of our club and community.”
The club posted a note it said was from her family which read: “To Alyssa’s Friends honor Alyssa by doing something fabulous in your life. Don’t ever give up and inspire for greatness. Live for Alyssa! Be her voice and breathe for her. Alyssa loved you all forever!”
Alyssa Alhadeff, a 15-year-old freshman soccer player, was confirmed dead Thursday afternoon.
“To Alyssa’s friends, honor Alyssa by doing something fabulous in your life,” her family said in a statement. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/4TkaKulYZc
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Alaina Petty, 14
Fourteen-year-old Alaina Petty was among those who died in the shooting, great-aunt Claudette McMahon Joshi confirmed in a Facebook post.
“There are no hastags for moments like this, only sadness,” she wrote, asking people to lift up Petty’s family in prayer.
Petty attended a local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Petty was a “valiant young member of the Coral Springs Ward,” Church leader Stephen E. Thompson wrote in an update.
14-year-old Alaina Petty was killed by the gunman. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/juw1d3JMYD
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Scott Beigel, 35
Students said geography teacher Scott Beigel, 35, helped them enter a locked classroom to avoid the gunman and paid for the brave act with his life.
“If the shooter would have come into the room, I probably wouldn’t be speaking to you now,” student Kelsey Friend told Good Morning America.
Friend said when she heard gunshots and realized it wasn’t a drill she followed other students toward the classroom.
Beigel “unlocked the door and let us in,” she said. “I thought he was behind me, but he wasn’t. When he opened the door he had to relock it so we could stay safe, but he didn’t get a chance to.”
Student Bruna Oliveda said she saw Beigel blocking the door.
“I don’t know how we’re alive,” she said.
This photo of geography teacher Scott Beigel was posted on Facebook by Camp Starlight, where Beigel had been a counselor. #DouglasHighSchoolhttps://t.co/DwbtMp8MsV pic.twitter.com/PPjB3PKM1C
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 15, 2018
___
Jaime Guttenberg, 14
Ninth grader Jaime Guttenberg, 14, loved to dance and hoped to become an occupational therapist and mother, aunt Abbie Youkilis said.
“She always looked out for the underdog and the bullied and she probably had been kind to the (former) student who shot her,” Youkilis said in a written statement sent to The Associated Press.
Guttenberg leaves her parents, Fred and Jennifer Guttenberg, and brother Jesse. Her father said in a Facebook post that he is “trying to figure out how my family gets through this.”
Youkilis called for gun-control legislation, saying Jaime’s parents were “the world’s most loving and over-protective parents but they could not protect Jaime from the sickness that has gripped our country.”
Jaime Guttenberg was remembered as "the most beautiful, kind-hearted, driven, funny and sweet girl" in a touching tribute from her cousin. Her brother Jesse made it out of the school safely. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/v8lZpmhlyV
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Martin Duque Anguiano, 14
Shooting victim Martin Duque was one of Isaac Briones’ best friends.
“He was like, one of the nicest people I knew,” said Briones, 15. “He was so caring.”
Briones said he last saw Martin the day of the shooting during first period.
“We were just playing around, talking about jokes and stuff,” said Isaac, who was outside the school Thursday with others holding a group of white balloons for the victims.
On Instagram, Miguel Duque wrote that words can’t describe the pain of losing his brother. He added: “I love brother Martin you’ll be missed buddy. I know you’re in a better place. Duques forever man I love you junior!!! R.I.P Martin Duque!”
Martin Duque, a 14-year-old freshman, died in the shooting.
“Words can not describe my pain,” his older brother Miguel wrote on Thursday. “I love brother Martin. You’ll be missed buddy. I know you’re in a better place.” https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/FtTNNcu8HP
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Gina Montalto, 14
Shooting victim Gina Montalto was a 14-year-old freshman who participated on the winter color guard squad at the school.
Friends and relatives posted tributes on Facebook, including mother Jennifer Montalto.
“She was a smart, loving, caring, and strong girl who brightened any room she entered. She will be missed by our family for all eternity,” said the post.
One of Montalto’s color guard instructors from middle school, Manuel Miranda, told the Miami Herald that Montalto was “the sweetest soul ever.”
“She was kind, caring always smiling and wanting to help,” Miranda said.
Freshman Gina Montalto, 14, died from her injuries late Wednesday night. She was a member of the school’s winter guard team, which was slated to perform at a regional event in Tampa over the weekend. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/1Wi7UNsG1t
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Nicholas Dworet, 17
Nicholas Dworet had committed to swim for the University of Indianapolis.
The college announced Thursday that the senior was among those killed in the mass shooting at his high school.
In a statement, UIndy swimming coach Jason Hite called Dworet an “energetic and very vibrant kind” who cheered for his soon-to-be university during a swimming meet last month.
“I spoke with his mom this morning, and she reiterated the fact that he was really looking forward to this next step in his life and becoming a Hound,” said Hite. “He really felt like he had a family in the team, and was really excited about what we’re doing up here.”
Nicholas Dworet had been recruited to swim at the University of Indianapolis. #DouglasHighSchool pic.twitter.com/ra8VqRel60
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 15, 2018
One of yesterday's victims, Nicholas Dworet, was a senior who just received a swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis. My niece was friends with him since kindergarten and posted her memories this morning. Such a heartbreaking loss and sickeningly avoidable traged pic.twitter.com/m3EEHjKjOe
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 15, 2018
___
Peter Wang, 15
Peter Wang, a 15-year-old ROTC student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, wasn’t interested in status but wanted to help others, relatives said.
A cousin, Aaron Chen, told the Miami Herald that Wang was last seen holding a door open so others could get away from the gunman.
Friends and relatives first thought Wang was just missing and checked with area hospitals. They later found out he had been killed.
“He wasn’t supposed to die,” Chen told First Coast News.
Peter Wang, 15, was killed by the gunman.
“He wasn’t supposded to die. He was supposed to grow old with me. Please share his story,” Aaron Chen, Wang’s cousin, said. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/yq579TeP7y
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Luke Hoyer, 15
Fifteen-year-old Luke Hoyer was a loving, sweet person who loved basketball and “smiled all the time,” his aunt Joan Cox said.
“He was just a good kid … very loving and just enjoyed life,” said Cox, of Greenville, South Carolina.
She said Luke’s parents, Gena and Tom Hoyer, searched for their son at hospitals before finally going to the law enforcement command center, where they eventually learned he had died.
“It’s just a terrible thing,” said Cox, who said the family — including Luke’s older sister Abby and brother Jake — spent Christmas with her and other family in South Carolina. “We just all pretty much can’t get over it.”
Luke Hoyer was reported missing in the immediate aftermath of the #Parkland attack.
Hoyer’s grandfather said they were watching the news when he and his wife realized the shooting had occurred at their youngest grandson’s school. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb pic.twitter.com/CrpGFMUKvj
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Carmen Schentrup, 16
Carmen Schentrup was a smart girl with a sweet smile.
In September, she was named one of 53 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists in the county and a classmate tweeted “we all praised for her intelligence.”
Cousin Matt Brandow posted on Facebook that the 16-year-old visited Washington State recently and said she wanted to go to the University of Washington. He asked: you like the rain?
“She answers, I hate sweating in the humid Florida weather,” Brandow wrote. “That’s when I knew you were perfect for Washington.”
Carmen Schentrup: A 16-year-old student. She was a 2017 National Merit Scholar semifinalist. #ParklandSchoolShooting https://t.co/unuUQC9nOa pic.twitter.com/Gb1OWfD2Vr
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) February 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/pranatiishah/status/964148532310691845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamiherald.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fcommunity%2Fbroward%2Farticle200220844.html
___
Helena Ramsay, 17
Helena Ramsay was soft-spoken, but also smart and a go-getter, her cousin Sefena Cooper said Thursday.
The 17-year-old junior especially loved hanging out with friends and family, “and for this to happen is heartbreaking,” Cooper said.
“Although somewhat reserved, she had a relentless motivation towards her academic studies and her soft warm demeanor brought the best out in all who knew her,” another relative, Curtis Page Jr., wrote on Facebook.
Helena Ramsey, 17, was killed by the gunman. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/gcCoPyBKwz
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Alexander Schachter, 14
Trombone and baritone player Alexander Schachter was a “sweetheart of a kid,” according to a social media post by father Max Schachter.
In honor of his 14-year-old freshman son, Schachter wrote on a gofundme page that he was starting a scholarship fund “to help other students experience the joys of music as well as fund increased security at schools.”
The message said: “Please help keep Alex’s spirit alive.”
Alex Schachter, 14, was a freshman trombone player in the Stoneman Douglas marching band. He was proud of his school’s state championship win earlier this year. Schachter’s father described him as a “sweetheart of a kid.” https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/bGZksn2kOS
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018
___
Cara Loughran, 14
Cara Loughran, 14, was an excellent student who loved the beach and her cousins, according to her family.
An aunt, Lindsay Fontana, wrote on Facebook: “I had to tell my 8-year-old daughters that their sweet cousin Cara was killed in the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School yesterday. We are absolutely gutted.”
“While your thoughts are appreciated, I beg you to DO SOMETHING,” she wrote. “This should not have happened to our niece Cara and it cannot happen to other people’s families.”
Loughran’s neighbor posted a picture of her cheering on a young boy riding a bike with training wheels.
“RIP Cara,” Danny Vogel wrote, “and fly with the angels. You will be greatly missed, and we will always love you and celebrate your beautiful life.”
Cara Loughran’s neighbor took to Facebook after the tragedy to remember the slain teen.
“You will be greatly missed, and we will always love and celebrate your beautiful life,” she wrote. https://t.co/tRC5x8tGVb #Parkland pic.twitter.com/LG4wcJfSJ4
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 15, 2018