Seventeen people lost their lives in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history, but many lives were saved thanks to the heroic efforts of Stoneman Douglas football coach Aaron Feis. Feis was also a security guard at the school and saved many lives by warning students of the incoming gunfire and charging towards the shooter to shield students from the gunfire. Feis lost his life after taking several bullets.
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
Here are more details from WSVN 7 News.
Feis responded to the initial call on the school’s security walkie-talkies, the Sun Sentinel reported. When asked if the loud noise were a bunch of firecrackers, Feis said no.
“I heard Aaron say, ‘No, that is not firecrackers.’ That’s the last I heard of him,” Douglas football coach Willis May said to the Sun Sentinel.
Haab added that Feis ran towards to gunfire.
“He was designated a parking lot outside the freshman building,” said Haab. “So I heard that he was running towards it when it all happened and that he shielded a couple of people and took some fire from him. He took three gunshots.”
Aaron Feis made the ultimate sacrifice in the face of evil. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and daughter and to the families of all of the victims. This senseless tragedy occurred in the community I live in and came very close to impacting my children as well. Hopefully, our government will finally address this issue and prevent this from happening again.