Florida school shooting victims remembered as 'hero,' 'baby girl,' 'sweet angel'

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“He was going to close the door and then he got shot.,” said Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Anna Cecilia Girao Feb. 14, 2018. LUCAS DAPRILE/TCPALM

A beloved coach. A senior headed to college on a swimming scholarship. Teenagers who died surrounded by their friends.

These are the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

Authorities have not formally identified any of the victims, but friends, family and coaches are sharing their memories.

Alyssa Alhadeff, 15

"Many innocent souls were taken a few short hours ago," Alhadeff's cousin Ariella Del Quaglio posted on Facebook. "Among them we just got confirmation was my little cousin. My heart is broken, not sure what I can even say, I am at a loss for words."

Alhadeff's friends at the Parkland Travel Soccer Club were organizing a memorial vigil for the freshman Thursday evening.

In a statement distributed by the club, her family asked her friends to "honor Alyssa by doing something fabulous in your life. Don’t ever give up and inspire for greatness. Live for Alyssa! Be her voice and breathe for her. Alyssa loved you all forever!"

Nicholas Dworet

A senior headed to swim competitively for the University of Indianapolis, Dworet is being remembered as a hard-working role model who found excellence in discipline.

"This is a kid who went from middle of the pack last year to being just lights out," his coach, Andre Bailey, of TS Aquatics in Broward County, Fla., said. "He helped put our program on the map."

More: Senior killed in Florida school shooting had scholarship at UIndy, coach says

Aaron Feis

An assistant football coach and security guard, Feis died shielding students from the shooter, the school's football team said in a tweet: "He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories."

Feis graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 1999 and coached the school's junior varsity team for eight years starting in 2002. He had recently been working with linemen on the school's junior varsity and varsity teams. He was married with a wife and daughter, according to the team.

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Jamie Guttenberg

One of the first victims identified, Guttenberg's Facebook profile has already been turned into a memorial site. Her parents posted frantic messages on social media seeking help in finding their "baby girl," but later confirmed she died in the shooting.

“My heart is broken. Yesterday, Jennifer Guttenberg and I lost our baby girl to a violent shooting at her school,” Jaime Guttenberg’s father, Fred Guttenberg, told friends on Facebook. “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.”

Gina Montalto, 14

A freshman and member of the winter guard team, Montalto is being remembered as a vivacious and enthusiastic member of the school community.

“My heart is broken into pieces. I will forever remember you my sweet angel,” her former coach, Manuel Miranda told the Miami Herald. “She was the sweetest soul ever. She was kind, caring always smiling and wanting to help.”

Joaquin Oliver, 17

Born in Venezuela, Oliver moved to the United States as an infant and became an American citizen in January 2017, according to friends and family.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, his friend Tyra Hemats said they had just been discussing their upcoming graduation and college plans.

“He’s never going to graduate high school like I get to graduate,” Hemats said. “He’s literally stuck there forever.”

Contributing: Vic Ryckaert, Emily Bohatch, USA TODAY NETWORK