After the chaos of a deadly school shooting parents, relatives and friends scramble to find their loved ones. Meanwhile, authorities set about the work of providing medical attention to the wounded and identifying the bodies of those who are killed.
Here’s what we know about the eight students and two teachers who died at the hands of the suspected shooter — 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzi — during the 15-minute assault at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday.
The attack is the the worst school shooting since 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., two months ago.
Here are some of their stories:
CYNTHIA TISDALE
Family members confirmed that substitute teacher Cynthia Tisdale was among the victims killed in the shooting.
Tisdale’s niece, Leia Olinde, said Tisdale was like a mother to her and helped her shop for wedding dresses last year.
“She helped me put it on, she helped fix my hair,” Olinde said through tears.
“She was wonderful. She was just so loving,” said Olinde, 25. “I’ve never met a woman who loved her family so much.”
She said Tisdale was married to her husband for close to 40 years and that the two had three children and eight grandchildren.
Tisdale’s house was the center for family gatherings, and she loved cooking Thanksgiving dinner and decorating her house, Olinde said.
Olinde’s fiance, Eric Sanders, said of Tisdale that “words don’t explain her lust for life and the joy she got from helping people.”
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SABIKA SHEIKH
A Pakistani foreign exchange student is among those killed in the shooting, according to a leader at a program for foreign exchange students and the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Megan Lysaght, manager of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Abroad program (YES), sent a letter to students in the program confirming that Sabika was killed in the shooting.
“Please know that the YES program is devastated by this loss and we will remember Sabika and her families in our thoughts and prayers,” Lysaght wrote.
She said the program would be holding a moment of silence for the girl, who is pictured beaming in a shirt that said “Texas” in a photo being shared on social media.
Lysaght declined further comment when contacted by The Associated Press and referred calls to a State Department spokesman.
The Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C., identified Sabika as a victim of the shooting on Twitter and wrote that “our thoughts and prayers are with Sabika’s family and friends.”
The Pakistan Association of Greater Houston said on Facebook that Sabika was due to go back home to Pakistan for Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday that marks the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
“May Allah bless her soul and may she RIP,” the statement said.
This is Sabika, she's a friend of ours and she's an exchange student from Pakistan. Today, she was killed in the school shooting of Santa Fe, Texas. I never took this personally but now I'm devastated and I think something should be done. This could be any of us. pic.twitter.com/raJ2KurL27
— Boutaina (@Boutayn62531577) May 18, 2018
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has expressed heartfelt condolences for the victims of the tragic incident at the Santa Fe High School in Texas this morning 1/3
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) May 18, 2018
Among the victims was Sabika Sheikh, a Pakistani exchange student. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sabika's family and friends". Ambassador Chaudhry 2/3
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) May 18, 2018
Our Consul General in Houston is in touch with the authorities concerned to ascertain facts 3/3
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) May 18, 2018
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CHRISTOPHER JAKE STONE
Chris Stone, 17, was in the final weeks of his junior year and was in the art class where witnesses say the shooting took place.
His family shared recent photos of the teenager dressed in a tuxedo, including one with Bresdon Perez who identified himself as Stone’s cousin. In a message on Twitter, Perez mourned Stone’s death writing, ” I love you cousin, I didn’t say it enough. I miss you, now more than ever. In my heart and our family’s, you will be with us forever.”
A tough update to bring you. @abc13houston has learned Chris Stone was one of the students killed at Santa Fe High School. His family shared these photos of him taken just the other week. He was a junior that was in art class this morning. pic.twitter.com/YV4JdeTniH
— Nick Natario (@NickABC13) May 18, 2018
Chris,
I love you cousin, I didn't say it enough.
I miss you, now more than ever.
In my heart and our family's, you will be with us forever. #PrayForChris #PrayForSantaFe pic.twitter.com/S12rlry1Kr— Bresdon Perez (@xxBresdonxx) May 18, 2018
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ANGELIQUE RAMIREZ
Angelique Ramirez’s aunt, Sylvia Pritchett, confirmed her niece’s death in a Facebook post that followed pleas for information about the teenager’s whereabouts.
Family confirms this is Angelique Ramirez, one of several people killed in the shooting at Santa Fe High School. 💔#khou11 pic.twitter.com/CygzlKFN2k
— Rekha Muddaraj (@RekhaKHOU) May 19, 2018
Pritchett said, the family had learned Ramirez had been shot in the leg before she died.
In separate Facebook post, Araceli Ramirez, who appears to be Angelique’s older sister, wrote: “i’ll never forget my best friend, the first baby i ever held in my arms.. my baby sister, the person who looked up to me for the longest time, she was so outgoing, so precious, kind, beautiful, smart…”
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GLENDA PERKINS
Perkins, a substitute teacher, was among two adults killed in the shooting. According to those who knew her, she was a well-loved figure on campus and in the community and was sometimes referred to as “Grandma Perkins,” CBS Dallas / Fort Worth reported.
Substitute teacher Ann Perkins, 64. was killed at Santa Fe High School https://t.co/zX81Jau8lr pic.twitter.com/d62yRUslKA
— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) May 18, 2018
Ann Perkins was a beloved teacher, family friend, & woman. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, & students. She lived an impeccable life filled with traveling, love, family, & a bit of champagne. Rest easy our beautiful nurturing angel. I love you. 💛☀️ pic.twitter.com/E4F1ss1hQb
— ☯︎ (@lemonylyd) May 18, 2018
A Facebook post by a friend confirmed her death and called for prayers for her surviving husband and daughter: “Ms. Ann, has passed away as a result of today’s tragic events. She was an amazing mom and an adored substitute who was loved by all.”
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SHANA FISHER
Shana Fisher celebrated her 16th birthday just nine days before she was killed on campus, her mother told the Houston Chronicle.
“She was shy and sweet,” her mother said. “She had a lot of love in her heart.”
Candi Thurman, who says she is Fisher’s aunt, said in a tweet the teen was in art class at the time of the shooting.
Fisher’s parents told the local ABC station, WFAA, they believe she was one of the first victims killed.
Her family isn’t being allowed to see her body yet. An autopsy is planned for Monday, the station reported.
My niece Shana Fisher still hasn't been found. She was in the art room and some classmates have said she was shot in the leg. Still no confirmation on where she is. Please keep praying! pic.twitter.com/9vQzNAmMxP
— Candi ♡ (@candithurman) May 18, 2018
SANTA FE SHOOTING UPDATE: Student Shana Fisher killed in shooting, mother says https://t.co/aS6I1qhwdC #SantaFeStrong #SantaFe #SantaFeHighSchool #TexasShooting #hounews #KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/HLS9N3Ybwh
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) May 19, 2018
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KIMBERLY JESSICA VAUGHAN
Kimberly Jessica Vaughan was among the students in the art class Friday morning, according to a Facebook message by her mother Rhonda Hart, who wrote the post after failing to hear from her daughter.
Hart updated her feed with other posts, including a call for gun control. ” Folks-call your damn senators. Call your congressmen. We need GUN CONTROL. WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR KIDS,” she wrote.
Hours later she added, “#fightforkim #kimberlyjessica #oneof10 We need to fight for our kids. This is complete bull****.
A GoFundMe page described Kim as a long-time Girl Scout and a high school freshman.
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JARED CONRAD BLACK
According to the Houston Chronicle, Jared ConradAaron Kyle McLeodAaron Kyle McLeodBlack, another 17-year-old, loved anime, art, wrestling and wolves.
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AARON KYLE MCLEOD
Aaron Kyle McLeod was a student at Santa Fe High School, according to KHOU.
Remembering Kyle McLeod, Santa Fe High School shooting victim. Read more about the shooting victims: https://t.co/Nx9LAkSbYT pic.twitter.com/KqGRHG3Nsr
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) May 19, 2018
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CHRISTIAN RILEY GARCIA
A Facebook post from Pastor Keenan Smith of Crosby Church in Crosby, Texas requested prayers for the family of a 15-year-old member of the congregation named Christian Riley Garcia.
According to the post, Garcia grew up in the church and was baptized there. It also featured a recent photo of him at a construction site, next to a door frame with scripture written on it. The post says it was going to be his new bedroom.
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Among those injured include a school resource officer and a sophomore baseball player.
JOHN BARNES
School police officer John Barnes was shot in the arm when he confronted the gunman.
A bullet damaged the bone and a major blood vessel around Barnes’ elbow, which required surgery to repair, said David Marshall, chief nursing officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He said Barnes was in stable condition.
Barnes was the first to engage Pagourtzis, according to Marshall.
Retired HPD SPO John Barnes, 49, was sworn in in May 1995 & retired Jan 2018. He began his career at SW Patrol and began working in investigations in 2005. John is known for his tireless work in Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. https://t.co/OBDOJ0SLkM
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) May 18, 2018
This hero school resource officer was shot when he confronted today's school shooter. John Barnes, 49, suffering a gunshot wound to the arm as he stopped the teen gunman today at #SantaFeHighSchool. Prayers to Ofc. Barnes and ALL those hurt or killed in today's school shooting. pic.twitter.com/JxTTPSPzL5
— Kari Lake Fox 10 (@KariLakeFox10) May 18, 2018
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ROME SHUBERT
Sophomore baseball player Rome Shubert said the gunman walked into his classroom and tossed something onto desks.
Shubert told the Houston Chronicle that he then heard “three loud pops” before the attacker fled into the hall. Shubert said he realized he’d been wounded as he was running out the back door.
Shubert said he was hit in the back of his head with what he said was a bullet, but that it “missed everything vital.” He also tweeted that he was OK and stable.
I'm so greatful and blessed that god spared me life today. Today I was shot in the back of the head but i am completely okay and stable.
— Romeshubert❄️ (@rome_shubert17) May 18, 2018
"AMERICA HAS TO TAKE A STAND," the mother of #SantaFeShooting survivor says our nation's schools must be safe. @rome_shubert17 says he's grateful to be among the living after suffering a gunshot wound to his head. LIVE COVERAGE -> https://t.co/S9UoljRLgu. #abc13 #hounews pic.twitter.com/PXNZzTdDnA
— Steve Campion (@SteveABC13) May 18, 2018
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