Here is a look back at the shooting in Parkland, Florida, a school massacre that shook the nation and claimed lives five years ago.
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14
ABC News informed Lori Alhadeff, the mother of first-year soccer competitor Alyssa Alhadeff, that she “utilized each moment of her existence and accomplished something significant with it.” “She possessed the determination to combat,” her mother included.
Her mother stated that Alyssa Alhadeff had a promising future in soccer and aspired to be a part of the U.S. Women’s national team.
“She aspired for that greatness,” Lori Alhadeff stated. “She was likely one of the smallest on the team but the most spirited.”
Laurie Thomas, the coach of the girls’ soccer team, stated that Alyssa Alhadeff was the “leader of our team.”
Thomas stated, “She guided the team both on and off the field,” “She exemplified leadership, not only through her words, but also through her demeanor.”
Several months following the shooting incident, Lori Alhadeff successfully secured a position on the school board of the county.
Upon declaring her candidacy, Alhadeff expressed, “I am determined to engage in all conceivable efforts to transform this educational system into an exemplary model that other districts will aspire to emulate.”
She expressed her desire to spare “any other guardian from experiencing the agony and distress that I endure on a daily basis.”
Martin Duque Anguiano, 14
During the court proceedings in August 2022, his relatives expressed in a formal declaration that Freshman Martin Duque Anguiano hailed from a quaint Mexican village and aspired to serve as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
“His family said that he would always inform his parents that as he matured, he would purchase them a residence.”
The teen loved “Star Wars” and was an “old soul,” who “always tried to see the best in people,” his family said.
“He was sweet and caring and loved by everyone in his family,” his older brother, Miguel Duque, wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“Words cannot express my agony,” Miguel wrote on Instagram. “You will be greatly missed buddy. I know you are in a superior place.”
After his passing, he was honored with the Medal of Heroism from the U.S. Army.
Scott Beigel, 35
According to students and colleagues, Scott Beigel, a geography teacher and cross-country coach, passed away while rescuing others.
Student Kelsey Friend informed ABC News that Beigel opened a classroom door during the shooting and guided students inside.
“I had assumed he was following me … But he wasn’t,” Friend stated.
Friend observed that her teacher was lying on the ground and added, “Furthermore, he was unable to do so. In order to ensure our safety, he had to relock it upon opening the door.”
“I’m incredibly thankful he was there to help everyone,” she expressed, referring to him as a “truly exceptional teacher.”
During the court proceedings in August 2022, Linda Beigel Schulman, his mother, expressed that he treated all individuals fairly and without discrimination, regardless of whether they were the swiftest or the most sluggish among the students he coached for the cross-country team.
Schulman said, “I still hear many of them say this to me every day. Scott’s cross-country team loved him, and he loved each and every one of them.”
She portrayed her son as modest, clever, and excellent with kids.
Schulman expressed that she continues to make an effort to adapt to living with this on a daily basis, and it is not becoming any less challenging for her, regarding her sorrow.
Nicholas Dworet, 17
Nicholas Dworet was extremely passionate about swimming and was headed to the University of Indianapolis on an athletic scholarship, his family said.
The family said, “He believed that he could accomplish anything as long as he tried his best. He dreamed of making the Olympic swim team and going to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”
“Alex’s brother will never again embark on a journey with booming music playing. Alex will never have a sibling to converse or spend time with. A vacant seat graces our dining table. Our abode harbors an unoccupied bedroom,” expressed his mother, Annika Dworet, in tears during the court proceedings in 2022.
She stated, “We were unable to witness Nick’s graduation from high school or university. We will not have the opportunity to witness his marriage. We will constantly pause before responding to the inquiry, ‘How many children do you possess?'”
Activists, who were survivors of gun violence, launched a demanding national movement to end youth-led gun violence. They marked their classmate Dworet’s birthday at the March for Our Lives rally in D.C., Knowing that he would have turned 18 and become an adult on that day. Dworet tragically passed away one month before his 18th birthday.
Aaron Feis, 37
Officials, students, and the beloved football coach of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Aaron Feis, died while trying to shield themselves from the gunfire.
“Him for played two boys of mine. With whom I coached,” said Scott Israel, who served as the sheriff of Broward County during the shooting.
Israel referred to him as “an extraordinary individual” and “one of the most remarkable individuals I knew.”
“The children in this community adored him, admired him,” Israel said. “He was simply such an exceptional person.”
Ryan Mackman, a high school student, expressed, “The individual’s heroic status is attributed to his selfless act of sacrificing his life to save others.” “He consistently displayed a generous nature, consistently providing support to those in need, demonstrating his compassionate nature until his final moments.”
Feis was survived by his spouse and daughter, family friend Brandon Corona mentioned at the memorial service.
The football coach mentioned that he worked two, occasionally three occupations.
Corona stated that he was the epitome of a hardworking father and husband and that he always wanted to be the best dad he could be.
Corona stated that Feis provided transportation to students who required it and “he functioned as a mentor to those lacking a paternal influence,” portraying him as affectionate, resilient, benevolent, and tolerant.
Jaime Guttenberg, 14
Jaime Guttenberg was a first-year student who adored dancing.
Her father, Fred Guttenberg, was overwhelmed with feelings as he talked about her passing the following day.
“My job is to protect my children,” Guttenberg said at a vigil, his voice cracking. “And I sent my kid to school.”.
With his voice shaking, he exclaimed, “I refuse to believe that gun violence doesn’t exist.” What is incomprehensible is that Jaime was shot and killed. All the children in this place are gone. Jaime was truly an extraordinary child.
Fred Guttenberg has since emerged as a national champion for firearm security.
Jennifer Guttenberg, the mother of Jaime Guttenberg, declared in court last year that her daughter Jaime Guttenberg was clever and observant, and demonstrated a remarkable degree of sagacity that exceeded her chronological age.
Every day, I live with the fact that Jaime’s life was cut too short, showing the world her fullest potential.
“In the courtroom,” Fred Guttenberg chimed in, “however, it was not intended to unfold in this manner; Jaime will forever remain 14 years old. I eagerly anticipated driving her to school. I couldn’t contain my excitement to organize a Sweet 16 party for her. I couldn’t wait to witness her experience her first boyfriend. I was going to be the lucky dad who worked tirelessly to deliver a heartfelt speech, yes, indeed.”
He expressed his desire to work in his dream profession, ultimately becoming a pediatric physical therapist and completing his education. I couldn’t wait to witness his best life, living with his cousin and achieving his dream of attending the University of Florida. I couldn’t contain my excitement about his graduation.
Chris Hixon, 49
Chris Hixon, the athletic director and head coach of the school’s wrestling team, passed away while bravely moving towards the shooting.
A reservist of the U.S. Navy who had been deployed to Iraq, Hixon was also the athletic director of Broward County in Miami, affiliated with WPLG’s ABC.
He was outlived by his spouse and two offspring.
Expressed his spouse, since he served as a guide to numerous of his colleagues and pupils and as a trainer throughout multiple educational institutions in Broward County, Hixon’s passing had a significant effect on the whole community.
“According to the Sun Sentinel, wrestler Karlos Valentin stated that Coach Hixon was like a father to him.”
According to the newspaper, wrestler Ray Corniel stated, “He was an incredibly kind individual. He would provide us with nourishment for all our competitions and look after us as if we were his own offspring and simply oversee us, allowing us to acquire valuable insights about life.”
Luke Hoyer, 15
Chicken nuggets and basketball, Lukey bear’s “beloved” youngest child, had Gena Hoyer with her morning on February 14, 2018.
“In court the previous year, she recollected how he yelled from the higher floor, ‘Mom, I am grateful for the Valentine card and sweets you bestowed upon me.'”
“His presence could change a room,” she said. “I miss his physical presence so much. I miss hearing his voice say ‘Mom.'”.
“And it provides me with such immense power.” Gena requested that Luke wear it every day to get his body from the funeral, and she said he could wear it now.
“I was incredibly fortunate to be his mother,” she expressed.
Cara Loughran, 14
The Drake School of Irish Dance in South Florida, where Loughran was a part of, expressed, “Freshman Cara Loughran possessed a lovely spirit and consistently wore a cheerful expression.”
According to The Miami Herald, dancers at Irish dance academies across the nation donned violet ribbons – one of Loughran’s beloved hues – as a tribute to her following the tragic incident.
Fontana Lindsay, according to her aunt, was a remarkable pupil who adored her 8-year-old nieces. Loughran, her parents, and her older brother are the ones left behind.
“We are completely devastated,” Fontana wrote on Facebook.
According to WPLG, Loughran’s acquaintance, Mackenzie Mirsky, expressed, “I never had the opportunity to bid her farewell.” Without considering my companion, I am unable to rest.
Gina Montalto, 14
On Facebook, Gina Montalto’s mother, Jennifer Montalto, expressed that Gina Montalto was “an intelligent, affectionate, compassionate, and resilient young woman who brought joy to every space she stepped into.”
She was a soccer player, a church volunteer, and a Girl Scout, all of which were recognized for her excellent grades by The Miami Herald.
“On a GoFundMe page, her parents stated, “During the holiday season, she had a great passion for cooking alongside her Father and her Grandmother.” “She had a strong interest in reading and had a deep admiration for Harry Potter books, Hunger Games, and Wonder Woman. She had a fondness for fashion and took pleasure in shopping, spa days with Mom, and attending NY Jets games with Dad.”
“She always sought ways to assist others. Gina’s involvement in school and high grades were a significant part of her life. Gina always took great pride in her education. Everyone whose life Gina touched will miss her, not only her family but also by everyone. She especially loved her entire family, including her cousins, and her little brother was her best companion.”
Joaquin Oliver, 17
Oliver Manuel’s father took him to school in the car and held card and flowers for his girlfriend proudly. The next morning, the teen took extra time to get dressed for school. Before Oliver Joaquin was killed, his father, Manuel Joaquin, took Oliver to buy flowers for Valentine’s Day for his girlfriend.
Manuel Oliver shared with ABC News’ “Nightline” several months following the incident, “And subsequently, he never reached out to me.” And I advised him, please ensure that you contact me to update me on how things unfolded with the flowers,” And he tenderly embraced me, saying, ‘I also love you.’ I reciprocated, ‘Love you.'”
Jersey Wade’s son, Dwyane, was a teenage NBA player who was buried. Later, inspired by their son, Olivers started a nonprofit organization called Ref the Change, which aims to empower and educate youth in the movement to end gun violence.
Joaquin, who was frustrated by a series of bad calls made by a referee in a recreational basketball league, was inspired to ask his father to switch out the referee. Oliver Manuel, the name of the nonprofit, said that he had a conversation with his son a few months before he died.
Oliver Manuel said that politicians did not want to discuss the main issue of gun control, which he described as the parents of victims after his son’s death.
The referee is looking for the right referee change, so he said, “He cannot have any personal interest or connection with any of the teams, he has the right to make impartial calls.”
Alaina Petty, 14
According to her mother, Alaina Petty had a great love for both the church and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
The teenager assisted in the reconstruction of regions in Florida following the state’s devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
In the courtroom last year, Meghan Petty, her sister, expressed, “She never had the opportunity to encounter heartbreak and emerge more resilient and knowledgeable. She never had the chance to experience love. She never embarked on a first date, and it pains me to acknowledge this. She never had her inaugural kiss. She never had her braces removed. She never even had the opportunity to truly live.”
“She expressed that she had never even started thinking about those things, such as having her own children or getting married, because she believed she would never be able to. She didn’t know what college she wanted to attend or which one to pick, as she awaited the anticipation of receiving a letter of rejection or acceptance.”
After her demise, Alaina Petty was honored with the Medal of Heroism by the U.S. Army.
Meadow Pollack, 18
In the court last year, Shara Kaplan, the mother of Meadow Pollack, stated, “was a wise individual with a comprehension of the world well surpassing her age.”
Kaplan characterized Pollack as compassionate, inclusive, and resilient.
According to ABC affiliate WPLG, Pollack, a senior, had been admitted to Lynn University in Boca Raton.
“We were eagerly anticipating her integration into our community,” expressed university representative Jamie D’Aria, “Meadow was a delightful young lady, who exuded vitality.”
After the massacre at Meadow’s shooting school, President Donald Trump said that we should have fixed it one after another, during a session where Andrew Pollack, Meadow’s father, was listening.
“Regarding his daughter, Andrew Pollack remarked, ‘She is buried in Fort Lauderdale King David Cemetery.’ ‘That is the place I visit to see my child now.'”
Helena Ramsay, 17
In the court last year, Anne Ramsay, Helena Ramsay’s mother, mentioned that Helena Ramsay was an “elegant young lady who performed the clarinet, was a capable and skilled swimmer, and a speedy runner.”
After learning about the decline of bee populations in the Coral Springs community garden, she drafted a list of bee-friendly plants to grow. She was also interested in participating in her school’s Model U.N. Club, which focused on humanitarian and environmental issues. Her mother said she loved watching “Jeopardy!” Host Alex Trebek and enjoyed activities such as music, dancing, crafts, and arts.
Helena’s closest companion, Samantha Grady, was lightly injured by a bullet during the tragedy.
Samantha and ABC’s “Nightline” reported that they spent a lot of time together during their two school days, without me having to go throughout the day to have that something.
Alex Schachter, 14
Alex Schachter was just 4 years old when his mother died. In the eulogy published by The Washington Post, Schachter said that he instantly gained two adoring sisters and a loving stepmother when his father, Max Schachter, remarried.
Max Schachter penned, “I relocated my family to Parkland due to its picturesque small community. I never anticipated this would occur to me. I never anticipated it would happen in this place.”
Alex Schachter was a skilled trombone player in the marching band of the school.
“The progress I observed from him was commendable and motivating,” Alexander Kaminsky, the school’s band director, informed the Sun Sentinel.
The 14-year-old, Alex, also served as a guard on a casual basketball team and had a fondness for the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics, as mentioned by his father. He had a strong liking for chocolate chip cookies and smoothies.
Alex Schachter was laid to rest in the identical graveyard as his mother.
Carmen Schentrup, 16
Carmen Schentrup, a dedicated, accomplished and straight-A student “was going to change the world,” her parents said in a statement on Facebook.
The precocious teenager, who was a National Merit Finalist, never knew that she had received the award the day after she was killed, according to her parents.
She was accepted to the honors program at the University of Florida, and her parents said she could become a medical scientist to find a cure for diseases similar to ALS, which are difficult to treat. She was so excited to start her college experience.
The family stated that the teenager “consumed books” and had a deep passion for art and music. Within the church choir, she actively participated in singing and showcased her skills on the piano, violin, and guitar.
Schentrup was “mature beyond her years,” her parents stated, yet “still a child at heart.”
“They wrote that we loved the reality that she never became too mature for our hugs and would hug us before bedtime.”
“Carmen was an idealist,” her parents remarked.
They mentioned that their daughter had a dream of visiting Germany, therefore she learned the language independently.
“We miss witnessing her fulfill her aspirations,” they expressed.
Peter Wang, 15
Wang Peter was a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet at the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point Academy, with a lifelong goal of attending the academy.
He was dressed in his JROTC attire when he tragically lost his life at school while attempting to assist his fellow classmates.
Aiden Ortiz, a friend of Wang, informed ABC affiliate WPLG that Wang “was hit by the bullets” and subsequently held the door open to help others flee.
“I desire individuals to be aware that he perished as a hero,” Ortiz expressed. “He passed away while saving numerous individuals.”
West Point officials hailed Wang as a “courageous young man” and granted him posthumous admission “in recognition of his heroic deeds.”
Wang and two other deceased cadets were honored with the U.S. Army’s Medal of Heroism.
Wang was laid to rest in his uniform and his family was given a memento medal.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been subsequently updated.
Meredith Longo from ABC News contributed to this report.