At least 17 people died when a gunman opened fire at a Florida school on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Authorities
identified the shooter as 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz. He was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder for the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The lone gunman had a dark history and was armed with an AR-15.
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters on Thursday that all families have been notified of the deaths.
Here’s what we know so far about the victims. At least 2 of them have not been publicly identified, according to
Business Insider.Jamie Guttenberg was a student at the school. Her father posted a touching message on Facebook to thank everyone for their condolences.
“I am broken as I write this trying to figure out how my family get’s through this,” he
wrote. “Hugs to all and hold your children tight.”
Martin Duque
The 14-year-old freshman was confirmed dead by his brother in a social media post.
His brother, Miguel Duque, said on Instagram: “Words can not describe my pain. I love brother Martin you'll be missed buddy. I know you’re in a better place.”
Carmen Schentrup
A 16-year-old student at the school, Carmen Schentrup was confirmed dead in a Facebook post by her cousin, Matt Brandow.
“With a very heavy heart, my beloved cousin Carmen just passed away in the Parkland high school shooting today,” Brandow
wrote.
Nicholas Dworet
A 17-year-old senior at the school, Nicholas Dworet had just received a swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis, according to journalist Glenn Greenwald.
Joaquin Oliver
According to Miami Herald, Joaquin Oliver was originally from Venezuela and moved to the United States with his family when he was 3 years old. He became a U.S. citizen in January 2017.
His cousin said in a tweet on Thursday that “He didn’t make it... I love you cuz. I’m sorry for all this. I’m at a loss of words.”
Luke Hoyer
A 15-year-old student at the school, Luke Hoyer died on the third floor of the school building, according to his family members, the Herald reported.
His uncle, Toni Stroud Brownlee,
wrote on Facebook, “This has devastated our family and we’re all in shock and disbelief. Our hearts are broken. Luke was a beautiful human being and greatly loved.”
Gina Montalto
A 15-year-old student on the school’s winter guard team, Gina Montalto died late Wednesday night her family and friends confirmed on social media, having been unable to contact her via phone.
Cara Loughran
A student at the school that was confirmed dead.
Tara Bazinsky
posted a photo of Loughran with the caption “Update from my Aunt... Cara’s parents were given the news no parent ever wants to hear at 2am. Please keep her family in your prayers. This is to horrible to even begin to process.”
Alyssa Alhadeff
Alyssa Alhadeff was a 15-year-old freshman who was confirmed dead by a cousin on Facebook. Her grandmother described Alyssa to WVSN News as sweet-natured girl who was into sports.
“She’s the sweetest. She’s a big soccer [player], very smart,” she said. ‘She’s in track. She’s very popular, very beautiful girl.”
Meadow Pollack
She was an 18-year-old senior.
Her parents were fearing the worst on Wednesday. She was confirmed dead early Thursday.
Alaina Petty
A bishop confirmed the death of 14-year-old student Alaina Petty, according to
the Daily Beast, who reported that her great aunt posted about the teen’s death on Facebook: “There are no hashtags for moments like this, only sadness.”
Alex Schachter
He was confirmed dead by Congregation Beth Am.
“He will be missed immensely,” a
family member
tweeted. “Everybody is just broken up and beyond shocked… His family adored him and we’re all really just in shock.
Scott Beigel
A geography teacher at the school, 35-year-old Scott Beigel unlocked his classroom to let in panicked students to take shelter when he was struck and killed by a bullet while he was closing the door behind them, the Miami Herald reported.
Kelsey Friend, whose life he saved, told his family via CNN, “Thank you for bringing and having this amazing person in life and giving him the power to be stronger than I could have ever been.”
Aaron Feis
Aaron Feis was a 37-year-old football coach at the school who died while shielding students from the bullets. Former students told The Daily Beast that he was also a security guard and a mentor to many students.
The high school’s football team
tweeted that Feis “died a hero” and would “forever be in our hearts and memories.”
“The kids in this community loved him, they adored him,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told
a press conference. “He was killed tragically, inhumanely, he did it protecting others.”
Chris Hixon
Chris Hixon, the school’s athletic director, was confirmed dead by his family.
Allen Held, a coach from a rival school, told the
Sun-Sentinal that he was a “super human being, the kind of person who would do anything for anyone.”
“If you needed something he was the first one there. He would do anything as an athletic director to make your program better and he was a better person than athletic director, Held said, adding that “he was a great friend and a brother in life.”
This is a developing story.
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