Lucero Alcaraz was a brilliant student who wanted to be a pediatric nurse. (Facebook)
The names of some of the victims of the Umpqua Community College shooting in Roseburg, Oregon have been announced. Lucero Alcaraz was one of the victims. She was only 19. Ten people died in the school shooting and seven more were rushed to the hospital.
Here’s what we know.
1. Alcaraz Wanted to be a Pediatric Nurse
Alcaraz is pictured here in a Facebook photo with some of her family. She was brilliant and wanted to be a pediatric nurse. (Facebook)
Lucero Alcaraz, 19 years old, was a first-year student who wanted to be a pediatric nurse, The Daily Mail reported. Alcaraz was a brilliant honors student who had gotten enough scholarships to completely pay for her college. She had five siblings. Her sister, Maria, wrote on Facebook about how much she missed her sister. ‘I can’t sleep. I never got the chance to tell you how proud of you I was.” Another sister, Eileen, said that her sister was a talented artist and the responsible one in the family, BuzzFeed reported.
2. She Was In College on a Full Scholarship
Alcaraz was referred to as brilliant and responsible by family and friends. She was in college on a full scholarship and had a bright and promising future. Her sister, Maria, posted a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook to Lucero, saying that she was her best friend and she couldn’t believe she was gone.
I’ll miss her making fun of me when I would attempt to say the Starbucks cup sizes, getting pissed when I would tackle her with kisses or photograph the heck out of her. Sister, I miss you, I love you, and I wish I could see you walk through the front door right this second. I don’t know how I will make it through this …”
3. The Shooting Started In Snyder Hall
The shooting started in Snyder hall. (Getty)
The terrifying shooting happened on October 1 and started in Professor Larry Levine’s classroom in Snyder Hall, witnesses said. Some reports have said the gunman asked students about their religion before opening fire.
4. An Army Veteran Risked His Life Trying to Stop the Shooting
Chris Mintz was a hero and a light in the darkness on October 1. He risked his life to charge the shooter. (Facebook)
An Army veteran put his own life at risk trying to stop the shooter. Chris Mintz, 30, was shot in the upper back, left hand, abdomen, and each leg while charging the shooter, even though it was his six-year-old son’s birthday. He’s in stable condition, but he may have to learn to walk again, the Winstom-Salem Journal reported. “He is very upset that people had to die and he wishes that he could have saved everyone. That was about all he was able to get out before he broke down. Hang in there brother,” his cousin, Derek Bourgeois said in a Facebook post after talking with Mintz.
5. Here’s How You Can Help the Victims And Their Families
Lucero Alcaraz’s cousin shared this photo of her on Twitter. You can help the victims’ families by donating to several funds set up in Oregon. (Twitter)
If you want to help the families of the shooting victims, there are three relief funds you can donate to, Oregon Live reported. To donate to the UCC Relief Fund, set up by the Umpqua Bank and the Greater Douglas United Way, contribute at any Umpqua Bank branch. Cascade Community Credit Union also has a fund set up for people affected by the tragedy. Stop by any of the three Douglas County credit unions to make a donation. The third donation account was set up by the Rogue Credit Union, which will match up to $2,500 in donations. Call 1-800-856-7328 for information on donating. The Alcaraz family also has an account set up on GoFundMe to help after the terrible tragedy.