One year ago today, a former student walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and opened fire. Seventeen people were injured; 17 were killed, 14 of whom were students. In the subsequent year, we’ve witnessed the creation of #MarchForOurLives, an anti-gun violence initiative started by survivors. This movement has created a groundswell of support for gun control initiatives, such as the renewed Assault Weapons Ban proposal and closing background check loopholes.
But in the 365 days since 14 children were murdered in Florida, 1200 more children have died at the hands of gun violence, according to The Trace’s Since Parkland project. Support for stricter gun control has fallen from 71 percent of people immediately after the shooting to just 51 percent today—pre-Parkland levels. And while city and state governments have taken up the mantle of gun control in a manner never really seen before (to the tune of 50 or so new laws), the federal government has yet to act, save for the passage of a bump stock ban, which will take effect in March. Meanwhile, local governments in certain districts have passed laws expanding access to firearms.
The biggest message from Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, and other Parkland students has been not to forget. Not to forget the lives of their friends, and also not to forget the wider impact of gun violence.
So today, it’s worth slowing down and taking time to think about the 17 people killed in Parkland last year. Here are their names.
Alyssa Aldeff, 14. A soccer player and debate team member with a contagious smile, Alyssa was in her mom’s words, the perfect combination of “athletic, smart and sociable.” She was shot and killed in her English class.
Scott Beigel, 35. A geography teacher and the school’s cross country coach, Scott was shot and killed in the hallway as he locked his students into his classroom, saving their lives.
Martin Duque Anguiano, 14. Martin was a dedicated member of the JROTC and hoped to become a Navy SEAL; people remember him for his sense of humor and his desire to help others. He was shot and killed in the hallway.
Nicholas Dworet, 17. Nicholas was captain of the swim team, planning on attending the University of Indianapolis in Fall 2018 on an athletic scholarship. He was shot and killed in his Holocaust history class.
Aaron Feis, 37. Aaron returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School three years after his own graduation to become the football coach and a campus security guard. He was shot protecting students and died that evening in the hospital.
Jaime Guttenberg, 14. Jaime started dancing when she was two-years-old, and she “loved every second of it,” according to her grandmother. She dreamed of one day becoming a pediatric physical therapist. She was shot and killed in the hallway.
Chris Hixon, 49. Beloved wrestling coach, athletic director, and Navy veteran, he was shot and killed after attempting to disarm the shooter in order to save his students.
Luke Hoyer, 15. “The king of one-word answers,” Luke was an enormous basketball fan and planning on trying out for the football team when he became a sophomore. He was on his way back to class from the library when he was shot and killed in the hallway.
Cara Loughran, 14. Bubbly and kind, according to her family, Cara practiced Irish dance and gymnastics, and was a huge Disney fan. She was shot and killed in the hallway.
Gina Montalto, 14. A Girl Scout, member of the school’s color guard, and active church member, Gina is remembered for her “nurturing heart.” She loved art and books. She was shot in the hallway while doing a school project and died that evening in the hospital.
Joaquin Oliver, 17. Joaquin loved writing poems and short stories, his girlfriend, and his Venezuelan heritage. He became a U.S. citizen in 2017, about which he wrote, “NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD” on Instagram. He was shot and killed in the hallway outside of his creative writing class.
Alaina Petty, 14. Alaina was the youngest of four. She was a member of the JROTC, an avid churchgoer, and a lover of country music and Netflix crime shows. She was shot and killed in her English class.
Meadow Pollack, 18. A senior in high school, Meadow planned on attending Lynn University in Fall 2018. Remembered for her love of working out, pink, cats, and being a great listener and friend, Meadow wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. She was shot and killed in the hallway.
Helena Ramsay, 17. A senior in high school, Helena is remembered for being brilliant, witty, and open-hearted. She was a member of the Model UN, an avid foster mom to almost a dozen kittens, and a huge fan of K-pop. She was shot and killed in her Holocaust history class where she was helping protect a friend.
Alex Schachter, 14. Alex dreamed of one day attending the University of Connecticut, and he rocked his UConn sweatshirt frequently. A musician, he played trombone in the marching band, and he hoped to one day drive his dad’s Tesla. He was shot and killed in his English class.
Carmen Schentrup, 16. A National Merit Scholarship finalist and straight-A student, Carmen had been accepted to the University of Florida honors program. She played piano, sang in her church’s choir, and loved to shop, and she hoped to one day find a cure to ALS. A week shy of her 17th birthday, she was shot and killed in her AP Psychology class.
Peter Wang, 15. The oldest of three children, Peter was a devoted JROTC member who hoped to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He loved anime and basketball, and was very proud of his Chinese heritage. Peter was shot and killed in the hallway when he held open the door so his classmates could get to safety.
Biographies compiled thanks in part to the Washington Post and the Since Parkland initiative.