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These are the victims of the Florida school shooting

Posted at 1:27 PM, Feb 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-16 12:03:53-05

A football coach. An athletic director. And young, fresh-faced students.

They are among the 17 people killed by a gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Wednesday.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said Thursday that all families who lost loved ones in the shooting have been notified.

 

Here are the victims:

Alyssa Alhadeff, soccer player

Alyssa, 14, was a student at Stoneman Douglas and a soccer player for Parkland Travel Soccer.

Lori Alhadeff, Alyssa's mother, told HLN she dropped her daughter off at school Wednesday and said "I love you." When Lori Alhadeff heard about the shooting, she hustled to school, but was too late.

"I knew at that point she was gone. I felt it in my heart," she said. "Alyssa was a beautiful, smart, talented, successful, awesome, amazing soccer player. You'll be greatly missed, Alyssa. We love you so much. You'll always, always be in our hearts."

"Alyssa Alhadeff was a loved and well respected member of our club and community," Parkland Travel Soccer said on Facebook. "Alyssa will be greatly missed."

Alyssa also attended Camp Coleman, a Jewish sleepaway summer camp.

"On behalf of the entire Coleman community, we offer heartfelt condolences and prayers for comfort to Alyssa's family and friends. May Alyssa's memory forever be for a blessing," the camp said on Facebook.

Scott Beigel, teacher

Beigel, a geography teacher, was killed as he tried to usher students back into his classroom when the shooting broke out.

Kelsey Friend, one of Beigel's students, told CNN in an emotional interview that he was shot outside the classroom door and that he saved her life.

"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."

She said the teacher was an amazing person and his memory would live on with her.

"If I could see him right now ... I'd give him a huge teddy bear to say thank you. But, unfortunately, I can't do that," she said.

Beigel, 35, was also a counselor at Camp Starlight in Pennsylvania, which called him a "friend and hero" on Facebook.

Martin Duque Anguiano

Martin, 14, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel at a news conference.

Nicholas Dworet, star swimmer

Dworet, a 17-year-old senior, was killed in the shooting, the University of Indianapolis confirmed. Dworet was recruited for the university swim team and would have been an incoming freshman this 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," said Robert L. Manuel, University of Indianapolis president.

"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."

Aaron Feis, football coach

Feis, an assistant football coach, was killed when he threw himself in front of students to protect them from oncoming bullets, according to football program spokeswoman Denis Lehtio. Feis, 37, suffered a gunshot wound and died after he was rushed into surgery, Lehtio said.

"He died the same way he lived -- he put himself second," she said. "He was a very kind soul, a very nice man. He died a hero."

Colton Haab, a 17-year-old junior who had a close relationship with Feis, told CNN he saw the coach running toward the sounds of gunshots.

"That's Coach Feis. He wants to make sure everybody is safe before himself," Haab said.

"(He) made sure everyone else's needs were met before his own. He was a hard worker. He worked after school, on the weekends, mowing lawns, just helping as many people as possible," Haab added.

Chad Lyons, a student and football player, said Feis was there for him when Lyons was going through leukemia treatments.

"He guided me through them. He would send me prayers. He would send me Bible scripts and just stuff to cheer up my day. Funny memes," Lyons said.

"He was just an amazing person to be led on and taught by, and I'm thankful enough to even be in his presence, just going through high school."

Jaime Guttenberg, student

Jaime, 14, was among the victims, according to a Facebook post by her father, Fred.

"My heart is broken. Yesterday, Jennifer Bloom Guttenberg and I lost our baby girl to a violent shooting at her school. We lost our daughter and my son Jesse Guttenberg lost his sister.

"I am broken as I write this trying to figure out how my family gets through this. We appreciate all of the calls and messages and we apologize for not reacting to everyone individually," he added. "Hugs to all and hold your children tight."

Skidmore College, where Fred Guttenberg attended, released a statement saying their hearts go out to Jaime's parents and others affected by the tragedy.

"There really are no words to lessen the suffering that the families of victims are feeling at this moment, but perhaps knowing that we stand with them can provide some small measure of solace," the college said.

Chris Hixon, athletic director

His widow, Debra, was telling CNN that he was "probably the best man that I ... " when she couldn't go on.

She had just described Chris Hixon -- who was the school's athletic director -- as an awesome husband, father and American.

"Every one of those students he thought of as his own kid," she said earlier.

Hixon, 49 would give students rides or lunch money and, if they needed it, open up his home to them. "He just loved being around kids and giving back to the community," Debra Hixon said.

A Naval reservist, Chris Hixon deployed to Iraq in 2007.

"He loved being an American and serving his country and he instilled that in our kids," she said.

Hixon was also the school's wrestling coach, something that was his passion.

Luke Hoyer

Luke, 15, was "an amazing individual. Always happy, always smiling. His smile was contagious, and so was his laugh," his cousin, Grant Cox, said.

Cara Loughran

Cara Loughran, 14, danced at the Drake School of Irish Dance in South Florida. "Cara was a beautiful soul and always had a smile on her face," the dance studio said in a statement. "We are heartbroken as we send our love and support to her family during this horrible time."

Gina Montalto

Gina, 14, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

Joaquin Oliver

Joaquin, 17, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

Alaina Petty

Petty's family said she was vibrant and determined. She had volunteered after Hurricane Irma hit Florida in September.

"Alaina loved to serve," the statement from her family said.

She was also a part of the "Helping Hands" program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow up and become the amazing woman we know she would become, we are keeping an eternal perspective," her family said.

Alaina, 14, was also a member of the junior ROTC at her school, a leadership program taught by retired Army personnel.

Meadow Pollack

Pollack, 18, had been accepted at Lynn University in Boca Raton. Spokeswoman Jamie D'Aria said: "Meadow was a lovely young woman, who was full of energy. We were very much looking forward to having her join our community in the fall. "

Helena Ramsay

Helena, 17, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

Alex Schachter

Alex, 14, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

Carmen Schentrup

Carmen, 16, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

Peter Wang

Peter, 15, was named as a victim of the shooting by Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.