Denver Shooting: The Victims' Stories
Updated: 2:40pm UK, Monday 23 July 2012
The gunman who opened fire in a Denver cinema killed 12 people in just a few minutes:
Veronica Moser-Sullivan, aged six:
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl who had recently learned to swim was the youngest victim of the shooting.
"She was a great little girl, excited about life," her great-aunt Annie Dalton said. "She loved to dress up and read and was doing well at school. She was beautiful and innocent."
Her mother, Ashley Moser, remains in hospital after being shot in the throat and abdomen and is expected to be at least partially paralysed. The 25-year-old's unborn baby is reportedly healthy despite her injuries.
Jessica Ghawi, aged 24:
The aspiring sports journalist and blogger had recently posted an article about surviving the Eaton Mall centre shooting in Toronto, in which two people died.
Her brother Jordan said he heard what had happened from his friend Brent who was with her in the cinema.
"My sister was struck by a round on the leg. He immediately, with his medical training, began to put pressure to that wound, to help stabilise her and she was screaming, and as he was on the ground, he took a round to the leg," he said.
"And he realised my sister was no longer screaming. And he looked over and it appeared she had had a fatal shot direct to her head."
Miss Ghawi, who was also known as Jessica Redfield, moved to Denver from Texas about a year ago and friends and colleagues described her as outgoing, smart and witty.
Matthew McQuinn, aged 27:
The Ohio-native died after diving in front of his girlfriend and her brother to protect them from the gunfire.
Samantha Yowler was shot in the knee and her brother, Nick Yowler, was not injured.
Mr McQuinn’s stepfather, David Jackson, told the Dayton Daily News: "Him and Sam were very much in love and planning their life together.
"It's not surprising to me that his first thought would be her. That’s what a man does. He protects his loved ones. I'm very proud of him. I'm going to miss him.
"I just can’t imagine what would be going through his mind except saving Sam. I'm sure from his actions that he didn’t put anything except for her first. Other than that, how could you not be terrified in a situation like that? I just hope it was quick."
The couple had moved to Colorado from Ohio last Autumn.
Alex Sullivan, aged 27:
The trip to the midnight screening of the Batman movie had been organised to celebrate Alex Sullivan's 27th birthday before his wedding anniversary on Sunday.
The movie fan had written on his Facebook profile before the film started: "#TheDarkKnightRises OMG COUNTING down till it start can’t wait going to be the best birthday ever."
His uncle, Joe Loewenguth, said: "He was a very, very good young man.
"He always had a smile, always made you laugh. He had a little bit of comic in him. Witty, smart. He was loving, had a big heart."
John Larimer, aged 27:
The Navy cryptologist went to the cinema with three other sailors from nearby Buckley Air Force Base.
Navy Commander Jeffrey Jakuboski said the death of the Petty Officer 3rd Class felt like losing "one of my sons".
"Losing a sailor, whether it's in combat or whether it's in a horrific domestic situation like this, it's hard. It's tough," he said.
He was the youngest of five siblings.
Jesse Childress, aged 29:
The Air Force reservist was a cyber-systems operator from Colorado, also serving at the nearby Buckley Air Force Base.
Munirih Gravelly told NBC4 that the Staff Sergeant died saving her life.
"I feel really sorry... that he's gone, that none of us were able to at least hold his hand and look him in the eye while he passed," she said, "I lost a friend."
Air Force Captain Andrew Williams described Childress as knowledgeable, experienced and respectful. He played in a kickball and volleyball tournament on base.
"He was always our star," he said.
Micayla Medek, aged 23:
The youngest of three siblings, Micalya Medek was working at Subway to save money to travel to India. Her family described her as independent and responsible.
Her father Greg Medek said: “I lost a precious soul."
Alexander Boik, aged 18:
The recent high school graduate was to start art college in the Autumn and apparently wanted to become an art teacher.
His family issued a statement saying that he was loved by all that knew him and was dating "a beautiful young lady" who was with him at the cinema and survived.
"We want to try and focus on the beautiful lives that were ended and not the evil that is responsible," the family said.
Jonathan Blunk, aged 26:
The Aurora local was a Navy veteran who served three tours in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea between 2004 and 2009.
He was planning to re-enlist and wanted to become a special forces Navy SEAL, according to close friend James Gill.
"It was guts or glory for him," he told The Associated Press. "It always surprised me that he didn’t serve in a situation more on the front line. He wanted to be a first responder on the front line."
The certified firefighter and emergency medical technician was a passionate gun rights advocate, according to Mr Gill.
"Pretty much every weapon the guy in the theatre used, he owned," Gill said. "If you asked if he was still alive, he would have said his only regret is he didn't have his sidearm with him and he couldn't do anything to stop him."
He died after throwing himself in front of friend Jansen Young and saving her life, she told the NBC Today show.
Rebecca Ann Wingo, aged 32:
The mother-of-two had started a new job several months ago as a customer relations representative at a mobile medical imaging company.
Shannon Dominguez, who worked with her, said she was friendly with everyone and always seemed to be in a good mood.
"I didn't really know her well but she had a really bubbly personality," Dominguez said.
"She was a pretty happy person... she never got irritated. She was pretty happy to be here."
She had served as a translator in the Air Force.
Gorden Cowden, aged 51:
The oldest victim of the shooting had taken his two teenage children to see the movie. They escaped unharmed.
His family said in a statement: "Loving father, outdoorsman and small business owner, Cowden was a true Texas gentleman that loved life and his family.
A quick-witted world traveller with a keen sense of humour, he will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying his best to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle."
Alexander C Teves, aged 24:
The Phoenix native had recently graduated from the University of Denver with a master's degree in counselling psychology.
Mary Gomez, one of his graduate advisors, told The Denver Post: "Alex will be remembered as an intelligent young man with a passion for living life to the fullest.
"Alex viewed life as an 'adventure', whether he was participating in the Tough Mudder competition last summer with his friends, doing class projects and presentations with his peers, or interning at a school for special needs students.
"He was insightful and respectful to his peers and faculty. He was a compassionate and kind person with a great sense of humour who put a positive outlook on all situations. Most importantly, his top priority was his relationships. His loyalty is admirable and he always put his friends first.
"Alex will be truly missed."
