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He Bravely Died Helping Others to Escape During the Florida School Shooting

Parkland School Shooting

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    People from all over the country are reeling after the Parkland Shooting on Wednesday, which left 17 dead and countless others injured, according to CNN.

    The suspect, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was apprehended by authorities and taken into police custody. He is scheduled to appear in court today.

    Parkland School Shooting

    His social media usage revealed red flags that required immediate attention from authorities and mental health professionals; unfortunately, none intervened.

    Nikolas Cruz Instagram

    Although news regarding the victims wasn’t forthcoming at first, we now know the names of the 17 adults and children killed in the massacre; one of whom being 15-year-old Peter Wang.

    Peter Wang Parkland
    via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

    Wang, a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was “funny, caring and selfless,’’ according to his 24-year-old cousin, Lin Chen.

    Peter Wang
    via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

    Chen was informed by one of Wang’s friends that the young man, who had worn his ROTC shirt that day, was last seen assisting other students in escaping, holding the door open for them so that they could flee to safety.

    Peter Wang
    via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

    “He is so brave. He is the person who is genuinely kind to everyone. He doesn’t care about popularity. He always liked to cheer people up. He is like the big brother everyone wished they had,’’ Chen told the Sun Sentinel. “I feel the family can never be the same.”

    Parkland School Shooting
    via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

    Aaron Chen, Wang’s cousin, shared similar sentiments. “He wasn’t supposed to die. He was supposed to grow old with me,” he told First Coast News. “Please share his story.”

    Peter Wang
    via FaceBook / First Coast News

    Wang leaves behind his parents and two younger brothers, ages 5 and 11.

    Peter Wang Parkland
    via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

    Rest in peace, Peter Wang, knowing that you are a brave, selfless, true hero and will be dearly missed.

    [Update 2-17-18 5:00 p.m. PST] White House Petition Demands Cadet Peter Wang Receive a Full Honors Military Burial

    Featured Images via FaceBook / Jesse Pan

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