At least 17 adults and teenagers were killed after a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. After the attack, 12 people were found dead inside the school, two outside the building, and one in the street. Two reportedly died later from injuries. Several others remain in the hospital with injuries. This was the 18th school shooting in the U.S. this year alone.
Police identified the shooter as Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled from the school and whom the FBI was warned about five months ago, CNN reported. He also had a history of abuse toward women, according to students interviewed by The New York Times. He was armed with an AR-15 rifle and “multiple magazines,” police said.
"So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior," President Trump tweeted on Thursday morning. "Neighbours and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!" Many criticised this statement for blaming the victims and not offering a meaningful legislative solution.
Ahead are all the victims we know of so far.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Aaron Feis
Football coach Aaron Feis was one of the first identified victims. The school's football team confirmed his death Thursday morning, saying he had died shielding students from gunfire. "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," the team wrote on Twitter.
Photo: Courtesy of Aaron Feis’ Facebook.
Jaime Guttenberg
Early on Thursday, student Jaime Guttenberg's father confirmed her death on Facebook, writing, "My heart is broken. ... Hugs to all and hold your children tight."
Photo: Courtesy of Jaime Guttenberg’s Facebook.
Martin Duque
Duque was a 14-year-old freshman. His brother Miguel confirmed his death on Instagram early Thursday. He wrote, “Words cannot describe my pain… I know you’re in a better place. Duques forever man I love you junior!!!”
Photo: Courtesy of @martini._jr.
Gina Montalto
Montalto was a 14-year-old freshman. Friends and family confirmed her death on social media late on Wednesday. “My heart is broken into pieces. I will forever remember you my sweet angel,” Manuel Miranda, her colour guard instructor, told the Miami Herald. “She was the sweetest soul ever. She was kind, caring, always smiling and wanting to help.”
Photo: Courtesy of Shawn Malone Reeder Sherlock’s Facebook.
Chris Hixon
Hixon was the school's athletic director. On Wednesday, the Sun Sentinel reported that he had been shot. Denise Lehtio, the communications director with the school's varsity and junior varsity football program, confirmed his death to CNN. “RIP Chris Hixon,” tweeted Aaron Gonzales, a recruiting assistant for Florida Atlantic University football. “I left Douglas to take a job at a rival school. I came back to watch a lacrosse game to find Chris running the ticket gate. He shook my hand, asked how I was, let me in for free, and said, ‘Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.'”
Photo: Courtesy of Debbi Hixon’s Facebook.
Alyssa Alhadeff
Alhadeff was a 15-year-old freshman. Her cousin Ariella Del Quaglio confirmed her death on Facebook Thursday, writing, "Many innocent souls were taken a few short hours ago. Among them we just got confirmation was my little cousin. My heart is broken."
Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Dibble’s Facebook.
Meadow Pollack
Pollack was a senior who had been planning to attend Lynn University, according to the Miami Herald. Her father confirmed that she had died to the Palm Beach Post. Her friend Gii Lovito wrote on Facebook Thursday: “Please say a prayer for the family of an amazing girl I got to call my best friend growing up, Meadow Pollack. Her life was taken way too soon and I have no words to describe how this feels. Rest In Peace my beautiful angel. You are and forever will be loved.”
Photo: Courtesy of Robyn Maisner’s Facebook.
Peter Wang
“He wasn’t supposed to die. He was supposed to grow old with me. Please share his story,” Wang's cousin Aaron Chen told First Coast News. The 15-year-old was last seen on Wednesday wearing his gray ROTC uniform and holding a door open so others could escape, Chen told the Miami Herald.
Photo: Courtesy of Mark Moll’s Facebook.
Nicholas Dworet
Dworet was a senior who had recently received a swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis for the fall. "Nick's death is a reminder that we are connected to the larger world, and when tragedy hits in places around the world, it oftentimes affects us at home," Robert L. Manuel, University of Indianapolis president, told CNN. "Today, and in the coming days, I hope you will hold Nick, his family, all of the victims, as well as the Parkland community and first responders in your prayers."
Photo: Courtesy of @TSAquatics.
Alaina Petty
Petty was 14 years old. “There are no hashtags for moments like this, only sadness,” Claudette McMahon Joshi, Petty’s great aunt, told the Miami Herald. “Our hearts are with them and all the families touched by this tragedy.”
Photo: Courtesy of Claudette McMahon Joshi’s Facebook.
Carmen Schentrup
Matt Brandow, Schentrup's cousin, confirmed her death on Facebook Thursday morning. "With a very heavy heart, my beloved cousin Carmen just passed away in the Parkland High School shooting today," he wrote. "Rest In Peace Carmen, you were the smartest and most intelligible 16-year-old I've ever met! You will be remembered forever."
Several friends mourned Schentrup on social media. “I was in the same classroom as this beautiful soul,” wrote one. “[S]he was so bright and had her whole life ahead of her. She was someone we all praised for her intelligence.” Another wrote, "[Y]our family is forever in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so sorry."
Photo: Courtesy of @supreme._.leader.
Scott Beigel
Beigel was a geography teacher at the high school. Kelsey Friend, one of his students, told CNN that he saved her life as he ushered students inside his classroom when the gunfire broke out. "Mr. Beigel was my hero and he still will forever be my hero. I will never forget the actions that he took for me and for fellow students in the classroom," Friend said. "I am alive today because of him."
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