PARKLAND, Fla. — Thursday marked one year since a deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland cost 14 students and three staff members their lives.
The victims are identified as:
- Alyssa Alhadeff, 15, freshman
- Martin Duque, 14, freshman
- Nicholas Dworet, 17, senior
- Jaime Guttenburg, 14, freshman
- Luke Hoyer, 15, freshman
- Cara Loughran, 14, freshman
- Gina Montalto, 14, freshman
- Joaquin Oliver, 17, senior
- Alaina Petty, 14, freshman
- Meadow Pollack, 18, senior
- Helena Ramsey, 17, junior
- Alex Schachter, 14, freshman
- Carmen Schentrup, 16, senior
- Peter Wang, 15, freshman
- Scott Beigel, 35, geography teacher
- Aaron Feis, 37, assistant football coach and security guard
- Chris Hixon, 49, athletic director
A former student, 20-year-old Nikolas Cruz, is charged with 17 counts of premeditated first-degree murder for carrying out the massacre. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Thursday has been designated 'A Day of Service and Love' by the Broward County School District, with an emphasis on giving back to the community.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will be open from 7:40 a.m. until noon. During that time, mental health staff and therapy dogs will be on hand.
Throughout the day, students across Broward County are encouraged to participate in a variety of service projects, including serving breakfast to local first responders and packing meals for children in need.
At 10:17 a.m., the Broward County School District observed a moment of silence at all schools to honor the 17 lives lost.
Later in the day, the City of Parkland will host an interfaith ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at Pine Trails Park, located at 10559 Trails End.
PARKLAND ONE YEAR LATER: Parents grieving one year after Parkland shooting | 'Guardians' train to carry guns on school campuses | St. Lucie County schools make improvements after Parkland shooting| Parkland students plan to continue activism in college| Parkland teachers reflect on what's changed one year later
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting led to nationwide protests over gun control, the suspension of former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel over his agency's handling of the tragedy, and the creation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act.
The law, which was signed into effect by former Gov. Rick Scott last March:
- Raises the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Florida from 18 to 21.
- Bans the sale or possession of bump fire stocks.
- Gives law enforcement greater power to seize weapons and ammunition from those deemed mentally unfit.
- Provides additional funding to school districts to hire school resource officers.
- Creates the Guardian Program, which allows trained and qualified school staff members to carry a gun.
The law does not, however, include a ban on assault rifles.
The tragedy also led to the creation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, a group made up of law enforcement officers, local leaders, and parents of the victims. That group was tasked with finding ways to improve school security, and recommended arming teachers in a report released in January.
WPTV will have team coverage of Thursday's remembrance ceremonies throughout the day online and on air.
