Oregon Shooting Victims Identified: Nine Victims Included An Aspiring Nurse And Recovering Drug Addict
The Oregon shooting victims have been confirmed by police as families discuss the tragic loss of life. Police named all nine victims of the Umpqua Community College massacre during a news conference in Roseburg, Oregon. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 67 and included a first-year nursing student who had one day hoped to work as a pediatric nurse.
The Daily Mail reports that authorities in Roseburg, Oregon, have confirmed the names of the nine victims of the Umpqua Community College shooting.
Authorities identified the nine Oregon shooting victims as follows:
- Lucero Alcaraz, 19
- Quinn Glen Cooper, 18
- Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, 59
- Lucas Eibel, 18
- Jason Dale Johnson, 33
- Lawrence Levine, 67
- Sarena Dawn Moore, 44
- Treven Taylor Anspach, 20
- Rebecka Ann Carnes, 18.
Family members of the deceased have been coming forward with details about the lives cut too short by the deranged gunman. Among the victims was 19-year-old Lucero Alcaraz, believed to be the first victim of the shooter. Alcaraz was an aspiring pediatric nurse that was deemed the “responsible one” by her younger sister. According to Buzzfeed, Lucero’s younger sister, 14-year-old Eileen, praised her sister as a talented artist. Meanwhile, Lucero’s other sister Maria took to Facebook to express her disbelief and heartache.
“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..”
Another victim, 33-year-old Jason Johson, was a recovering drug addict who had recently completed a six-month rehabilitation program. Johnson was proud that he had finally turned his life around and decided to enroll in courses at Umpqua Community College. His mother, Tonja Johnson Engle, spoke with NBC News about Jason, explaining that he had just started classes on Monday and how proud she was of her son’s new life.
“He started Monday and he was so proud of what he had accomplished, and rightly so. 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.'”
Sadly, due to a deranged gunman, Tonja will not have the opportunity to see her son graduate from the community college he was so proud to attend.
A third victim’s family is also speaking out about their loved one. A friend of 20-year-old Treven Anspach says that the victim was a hard worker and a “d**n good basketball player.” Another victim, 59-year-old Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, was a “mature” student. The woman was described as a “lovely person” who helped a fellow student out with math.
The family of 18-year-old Quinn Cooper made a public statement about their youngest son’s death. Quinn was described as a “funny, sweet, compassionate” person who was a joy to be around. His family says his “witty” nature will be deeply missed.
Victim Rebecka Ann Carnes was just 18 years old when she was gunned down at the community college. Carnes was studying to become a dental hygienist according to her step-father. Sarena Moore, 44, was a Seventh-day Adventist who worked for her church, according to her Facebook page. Moore’s family was approached by various media outlets but did not want to discuss the tragic passing of their loved one at this time. However, her brother Rick Goin did say he was happy that the shooter is dead and that there will be no need for a long trial.
“I’m glad the officers, when they did get there, took care of business. The shooter is gone and we don’t’ have to wait for trials and everything else.”
A 67-year-old teacher, Lawrence Levine, was also among those killed by the Oregon shooter. Levine was teaching a writing class when he was gunned down.
[Image Credit: Roseburg Police/ Facebook via Heavy]
