KIRO 7 learned that one of the victims killed in the Parkland, Florida massacre was a high school freshman who had moved with her family to Florida from Woodinville.
Alaina Petty, 14, was identified Thursday as one of 17 people who were killed when suspected gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Petty lived in Woodinville for eight years and attended Lake Washington public schools with her brothers, one on whom graduated from Redmond High School. According to neighbors, they moved to Florida about four years ago.
The Petty family made their only public comments through their online church publication, LDS Living.
The family’s statement read:
“We are heartbroken by the loss we feel in the tragedy that unfolded yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Our hearts go out to the families of all impacted by this tragedy, and our prayers are for their comfort and healing. We wish to thank our family, friends, and the community for the love and support demonstrated to our family.
It is important to sum up all that Alaina was and meant to her family and friends. Alaina was a vibrant and determined young woman, loved by all who knew her.
Alaina loved to serve. She served her community through her participation in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas JROTC program and her countless hours of service as a volunteer for the "Helping Hands" program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alaina was part of hundreds of volunteers that rushed to the most heavily impacted areas of Florida to clean up and help rebuild the lives of those devastated by Hurricane Irma.
Her selfless service brought peace and joy to those that had lost everything during the storm. While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow up and become the amazing woman we know she would become, we are keeping an eternal perspective. We are grateful for the knowledge that Alaina is a part of our eternal family and that we will reunite with her. This knowledge and unabating faith in our Heavenly Father's plan gives us comfort during this difficult time.
Over the past 24 hours, our family has been touched by hundreds of acts of service. Words cannot convey the gratitude we have in our hearts for each of those acts. We wish to thank the staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the bravery that we understand they showed in protecting and ultimately saving many lives. We would also like to especially thank the first responders for their courage and bravery by running toward harm's way and for bringing an end to yesterday's violence.”
A Lake Washington school district spokesman told KIRO-7 counselors would be available to any student who knew Alaina and needs support after mid-winter break, next Tuesday.
Cox Media Group
