Colorado  Victims Remembered with Poignant Stories

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office in Colorado has released the names of the 12 victims of Friday’s shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.

Jessica Ghawi, 24, was an aspiring sports journalist described by her mother as an energetic woman, “easy to fall in love with.” Ghawi survived shootings at a Toronto mall last month, and later blogged about the experience:

“I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders’ faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don’t know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath.”

Veronica Moser, 6, described as a “vibrant” child who had just learned to swim, was shot along with her mother Ashley Moser in Friday’s attack. Ashley Moser remains in critical condition in the hospital after gunshots to the neck and abdomen. According to the Denver Post, she passes in and out of consciousness asking for Veronica, unaware of her daughter’s death.

John T. Larimer, 27, joined the Navy last year and was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.

“I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Petty Officer John Larimer — he was an outstanding shipmate,” Larimer’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Jakuboski, said.

Matthew McQuinn, 27, of St. Paris, Ohio, died after diving on top of his girlfriend Samantha Yowler to shield her from bullets. Yowler and her brother survived the attack.

Recent high school graduate Alexander J. Boik, 18, has been described as “the life of the party.” He loved softball, movies and hoped to become an art teacher. According to his girlfriend, Lasamoa Cross, the pair were secretly engaged.

Jesse E. Childress, 29, was also stationed at Buckley Air Force Base as an Air Force reservist. Childress loved sports, the Denver Broncos, comic books and superhero movies. According to the Denver Post, Childress had recently named his brand new car the “Batmobile.”

Jonathan T. Blunk, 26, also died shielding his girlfriend, Jansen Young, from gunfire, pushing her under a seat while shots were being fired. Formerly in the Navy, Blunk worked at a hardware store in Colorado at the time of the shooting.

Rebecca Wingo, 32, was working toward an associate of arts degree at the Community College of Aurora. Her father Steve Hernandez wrote on his Facebook page, “I lost my daughter yesterday to a mad man, my grief right now is inconsolable, I hear she died instantly, without pain, however the pain is unbearable.”

Alex M. Sullivan was celebrating his 27th birthday at the time of the attack. He died just two days shy of his first wedding anniversary with his wife Cassie on Sunday. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Alex’s family has called him their “real life superhero.”

Gordon Cowden, 51, went to the midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” with his two teenage children, both of whom survived unharmed.

“He will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying his best to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle,” Cowden’s family said in a statement.

Micayla Medek, 23, graduated from William C. Hinkley High School in Aurora and had been attending the Community College of Aurora. According to the Los Angeles Times, Medek was saving up for a trip to India.

A friend described Alexander Teves, 24, as “One of the best men I ever knew. The world isn’t as good a place without him.” Teves loved Spider-man and his alma mater, the University of Arizona. He had just earned his master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver.

After Day of Agony, Families in Colorado Get Tragic Confirmation

AURORA, CO — Stories of heroism, zest for life and a birthday celebration that turned tragic emerged as family and friends shared information on loved ones killed in Friday’s mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater. Almost all of the 12 victims were young, one was only 6, with so much life ahead of them. The cause of death in all cases is related to gunshot wounds, according to the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF VICTIMS

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Police now searching for second “person of interest”

Evidence shows months of plotting ahead of Colorado shooting

CLICK HERE: The following information is updated as details become available:
Video: In-depth coverage: Victims identified as investigation into shooting spree continues
Video: Columbine principal no stranger to tragedy
Video: Suspect described as “smart, quirky loner” Hendrik Sybrandy reports from suspect’s childhood neighborhood in San Diego.
Video: Many victims in theater shooting were kids
Video: Aurora Public Schools opens its doors to victims, evacuees (press release)
Video: Suspected gunman fits profile of a lone gunman, expert says
Video: Theaters boost security in wake of Aurora shootings
Video: Alleged gunman passed background check, legally purchased weapons
Photo Gallery: Aurora theater shooting scene, suspect’s booby-trapped apartment …
Video: Police detain man enraged over loss of child in Aurora theater shooting
Video: Man shared beers with suspect, called him ‘well-educated’ owner of ‘intelligent smirk’
Web Poll: Should it be legal to own an assault rifle?
Raw Video: Raw Video: 3-month-old injured in Aurora theater shooting released from hospital
Raw Video: Crowd exits Aurora theater after shooting …
YouTube Video: Scene outside Aurora theater shooting …
Raw Video: Witnesses say ‘bullets were flying through wall’ of Aurora theater …
Raw Audio: Police radio communications from Aurora theater shooting …
Raw Video: Morning Aurora Police press conference from theater shooting …
Raw Video: Emotional Aurora theater shooting witness describes seeing wounded children …
Social Media: Follow the public reaction online …
Raw Video: Witness says shooter ‘had the gun in my face’