Students and faculty at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are mourning the death of assistant football coach Aaron Feis, who witnesses say shielded three young women from gunfire during yesterday’s horrific mass shooting.
Feis, 37, sustained a gunshot wound in the incident. He was rushed to hospital for surgery, but died of his injuries. He was one of 17 people killed in the shooting.
Speaking to CNN, football player Colton Haab said that Feis throwing himself into the line of fire to protect the students was in keeping with his selfless character.
“He made sure everybody else’s needs were met before his own,” Haab said, adding “That’s Coach Feis. He wants to make sure everyone is safe before himself.”
In a statement, the football program’s spokesperson Denise Lehtio said “He died the same way he lived — he put himself second.
“He was a very kind soul, a very nice man. He died a hero.”
It is with Great sadness that our Football Family has learned about the death of Aaron Feis. He was our Assistant Football Coach and security guard. 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 pic.twitter.com/O181FvuHl3
— Stoneman Douglas Football (@MSDEagles) February 15, 2018
Students past and present have posted tributes to Feis.
https://twitter.com/RothkopfCharlie/status/963921713418432512
Feis is reportedly survived by his wife and daughter.
Local and federal investigators are still working to determine the motive of alleged shooter Nikolas Cruz. The 19-year-old is charged with 17 counts of murder, and faces court today.
