MSDEagles/TwitterThe assistant football coach and security guard at Marjory Stoneman who shielded his students from bullets during the Valentine’s Day school shooting has been hailed a hero.
Aaron Feis is one of the 17 people shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, yesterday February 14.
The school football team tweeted: ‘He died a hero and he will forever be in our hearts and memories.’
Douglas coach Willis May May said he heard directly from a student that Feis jumped between her and the shooter before pushing her through a door to escape the line of fire.
PAMay told The Sun Sentinel that Feis’ family was notified at around midnight or very early this morning (February 15) about his death.
Various accounts on social media have also called Feis a hero, claiming he was killed while protecting students.
The school’s football team paid tribute to their heroic coach on Twitter writing:
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.
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
— MS Douglas Football (@MSDEagles) February 15, 2018
Angelica Losada, a student who used to attend the school, also shared her condolences on Instagram.
She wrote:
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the face of a hero. Coach Aaron Feis was injured protecting a student in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and, at last report, is in critical condition.
He is a friend to all students that know him. He was always so nice to me when I went to school there, and I know he is close with my brother and his friends.
Please, take a moment to send healing prayers for him.
The school’s junior lineman Charlie Rothkopf tweeted a picture of Feis with the caption:
Can everyone please take a second to pray for my coach today he took serval bullets covering other students at Douglas.
Can everyone please take a second to pray for my coach today he took serval bullets covering other students at Douglas . pic.twitter.com/8AMG7t6tpH
— Charlie Rothkopf (@RothkopfCharlie) February 14, 2018
In his capacity as a security guard, it was Feis who responded to the original ‘code-red’ call on the school’s walkie-talkies.
According to May, someone asked on the radio if the loud sounds they could hear were firecrackers.
May said:
I heard Aaron say, ‘No, that is not firecrackers.’ That’s the last I heard of him.
GettyFeis was clearly very much admired at the school with May describing him as:
Big ol’ teddy bear. Hardcore – he coached hard. Real good line. He did a great job with the [offensive] line.
He took pride with working with those guys. Loyalty – I trusted him. He had my back. He worked hard.
Just a good man. Loved his family. Loved his brother – just an excellent family man.
Aaron Feis is survived by his wife Melissa and their daughter.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family and all those affected.
