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Oregon Shooting Victims Identified From Umpqua Community College

By Lindsay McCane
Published on: 04:01 PST, Oct 3, 2015

The nine Oregon shooting victims have been identified.

On Thursday, a gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, killing nine individuals, all working hard to achieve their goals for their futures. Several of the victims were recent high school graduates, experiencing their first days of college life, while others were returning to college later in life to earn a new degree. What is being called the worst mass shooting in Oregon history also injured several others. The gunman was killed after a shootout with police, according to a report from CNN.

Oregon Shooting Victims Identified
ROSEBURG, OR – OCTOBER 02: Emergency workers man a road block in front of Umpqua Community College on October 2, 2015 in Roseburg, Oregon. Yesterday 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer went on a shooting rampage on the campus killing nine people and wounding 7 others before he was killed. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin released the identities of the victims on Friday, along with brief statements from their families.

Lucero Alcaraz, 19

Lucero Alcaraz, a 19-year-old graduate from Roseburg High School, was one of 87 students who qualified to become UCC scholars, according to the school’s website.

“There is no sense in talking about it. It’s in vain,” Ezequiel Alcaraz, Lucero’s father, said in Spanish while fighting back tears. “What’s the point in showing our pain?” Lucero’s sister Maria Leticia Alcaraz posted a Facebook message, which originally stated her sister was missing. She later shared the heartbreaking news that her sister was actually one of the Oregon shooting victims.

“Lucero, I miss you I wish you were here. I can’t sleep. I never got the chance to tell you how proud of you I was. You would have been a great pediatric nurse. I was so proud of you for getting you college completely paid through scholarships and you made it into college honors. You were going to do great things love. I ache so much right now..I need you..,” Maria wrote.

Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, 59

Kim Saltmarsh Dietz worked at Pyrenees Vineyards in Myrtle Creek as a caretaker for many years. Robert Stryk, the owner of the company, said Dietz had a love for the outdoors, her 18-year-old daughter, and her two Great Pyrenees dogs. Dietz and her daughter were both attending Umpqua Community College. Thankfully, her daughter was unharmed in the shooting.

“That’s really the tragedy here, is that this is a woman who was just trying to better herself,” Stryk said.

A GoFundMe page to raise money for Dietz’s funeral expenses was created. A comment from someone who said she knew Kim was shared on the page.

“I met with her on her first day at UCC and she was so scared to come,” Hanna C. wrote. “I told her she could do it. Since then, she excelled in school. Everytime I saw her on campus she made a point to stop and thank me and tell me how well she was doing. I just saw her this week and she thanked me again and updated me on all her accomplishments.”

Jason Dale Johnson, 34

Jason Johnson had just started his first week of college, according to his mother Tonja Johnson Engel. After suffering from drug abuse, Jason completed a six-month rehab stint at The Salvation Army in Portland. After completing the program, he decided to continue his education.

“The other day, he looked at me and hugged me and said, ‘Mom, how long have you been waiting for one of your kids to go to college?’ And I said, ‘Oh, about 20 years,'” Engel told NBC News.

Quinn Glen Cooper, 18

Quinn Cooper graduated from Roseburg High School, and was only on his fourth day of college when the shooting happened. Cooper loved to dance and was planning on taking the brown belt test in martial arts on October 10. His family released a statement following his death, describing Quinn as “funny, sweet, compassionate and such a wonderful loving person.”

“Our lives are shattered beyond repair,” his family wrote. “We send our condolences to all the families who have been so tragically affected by this deranged gunman. No one should ever have to feel the pain we are feeling. Please remember the victims and their families. Please remember Quinn.”

Lucas Eibel, 18

Lucas Eibel, also a recent high school graduate, was studying chemistry. He loved being a part of the Future Farmers of America and volunteering at Wildlife Safari and Saving Grace animal shelter. He was a quadruplet with two brothers and a sister, and was also an “amazing soccer player.”

“We have been trying to figure out how to tell everyone how amazing Lucas was, but that would take 18 years,” his family said in a statement.

Lawrence Levine, 67

Lawrence Levine was an assistant professor of English at the college. He lived in a rented cabin on the North Umpqua River. He loved fly fishing, and was a part of Steamboaters, a fly fishing and conservation group.

“He was kind of quiet and laid back, he didn’t say much,” Dale Greenley, a fellow member of the group, said. “But he was a good writer.”

Sarena Dawn Moore, 44

Sarena Moore was from Myrtle Creek, and was a member of Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grants Pass. She had two adult sons, and was in her third semester studying business.

“She was thrilled to enroll,” Pastor Christian Martin said. “She counted it as a direct answer to prayer. She praised the Lord for opening doors for her to pursue a degree in business.”

Treven Taylor Anspach, 20

Treven Anspach was described by his friends and family members as “one of the most positive young men, always looking for the best in life.” He was also described as a talented athlete by his former high school teammate Brody Jansen.

Anspach was “a nice, respectful guy that always seems to have his friends and family’s back,” Jansen said.

Rebecka Ann Carnes, 18

Rebecka Ann Carnes lived in Myrtle Creek, and was also a recent high school graduate.

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have watched Becka grow up,” Lisa Crawford wrote on the GoFundMe site she created to help Rebecka’s parents with her final expenses. “She had just started a new job and college classes. This isn’t how life is supposed to work and I am struggling to wrap my mind around the entire situation.”

Oregon Shooting Victims Identified From Umpqua Community College
ROSEBURG, OREGON – OCTOBER 1: Denizens of Roseburg gather at a candlelight vigil for the victims of a shooting October 1, 2015 in Roseburg, Oregon. According to reports, 10 were killed and 20 injured when a gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Lloyd/Getty Images)

[Photo by Scott Olsen/Getty Images]

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