A football coach died from the wounds he sustained while shielding students from a hail of gunfire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. on Wednesday.
Aaron Feis, who served as an assistant football coach and a security guard at Stoneman Douglas, was one of 17 people to perish after authorities allege a former student, Nikolas Cruz, opened fire at the Florida high school.
The school's football team confirmed Feis' passing on Twitter Thursday.
"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," the school tweeted.
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
A spokesman for the school, Dennis Lehito, told CNN that Feis was a "kind soul" who undertook an heroic effort to save lives.
"He died the same way he lived -- he put himself second," Lehtio said. "He was a very kind soul, a very nice man. He died a hero."