Coach Uses Body as Human Shield to Save Students from Crazed Gunman's Bullets
In the wake of a deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the entire nation has been left mourning the lives of innocent children. But even in such a heinous tragedy, there are stories of heroism and prevailing good.
Coach Aaron Feis was one of those stories. When a gunman opened fire at the students, the former security guard put his own life on the line to protect them.
According to students, he had thrown himself in front of them, shielding them from the onslaught of bullets.
Unfortunately, he was shot in the head by the assailant and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Feis, who goes by Coach Feis, was loved by students at the school who are now thanking him for his heroism.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is the face of a hero,” a former student of the school wrote on Instagram alongside a photograph of the coach.
“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.”
Rather than talk about the coward shooter, meet Aaron Feis, football coach & security guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS. He stepped in front of many students to protect them from bullets. He’s currently battling for his life at the hospital. Let’s pray for him. #hero #Parkland pic.twitter.com/tBU9NezZOj
— SCOTT WARNER (@ScottWarner18) February 15, 2018
Soon, Feis’ bravery had garnered national attention.
“Rather than talk about the coward shooter, meet Aaron Feis, football coach & security guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS,” Scott Warner, CEO of Gigg, wrote on Twitter.
“He stepped in front of many students to protect them from bullets. He’s currently battling for his life at the hospital. Let’s pray for him.”
Later in the day, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel announced that “a beloved football coach is dead.” The name of the coach was not immediately clear.
Feis was an alumni of Stoneham Douglas and worked there as a football coach and security guard. He had spent his entire coaching career at the school.
He had always taken his work seriously, Andrew Hofmann, a former student of the school and recent coach of the swimming and water polo teams told the Miami Herald.
“He’s very well dedicated to the safety of the school during the daytime,” he told the paper.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected by this tragedy, and we can only hope that those injured make full recoveries.
Editor’s Note: Since the publication of this article, we are sad to report that Coach Feis has passed away.
According to ESPN, “Assistant football coach Aaron Feis and athletic director Chris Hixon, both hailed as heroes, were among those killed during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, officials confirmed Thursday.”
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