Neighbor remembers young woman killed in Oregon shooting

ROSEBURG, Ore. (KGO) -- President Barack Obama ordered flags flown at half-staff out of respect for the victims of the Oregon rampage. Nine innocent people were killed in less than 10 minutes in what is now the state's worst shooting.

VIDEO: Details about nine Oregon shooting victims emerge

"These families are currently living through the nightmare in the most personal way possible," said Sheriff John Hanlin.

On Friday we learned the names of all nine victims, who range in age from 18 to 67. Nine more people were wounded at Umpqua Community College on Thursday. Only three people are still in the hospital.

PHOTOS: Deadly campus shooting at community college in Oregon


The gunman, 26-year-old Chris Harper-Mercer, died in a shootout with police. On Friday, authorities revealed that he carried six weapons when he launched the attack on the college campus. All of those guns were purchased legally.

Investigators add that he had five extra magazines loaded with bullets. Federal agents discovered seven more weapons inside the apartment he shared with his mother.

The gunman was enrolled in the class where the shootings occurred. The campus will remain closed next week.

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In the meantime, there was a strange kind of relief in Roseburg when the county sheriff finally announced the names of the victims. Because it's a close community, however, many residents already knew, or had strong suspicious on who was involved.

Some things have not changed in the remote town of Roseburg. You can still appreciate the beauty of the Umpqua River or the kindness of its people. Although, all of that went on hold Thursday.

"Word spreads fast in a small community," said one resident.

Especially when it's bad news.

VIDEO: Neighbor remembers Oregon shooting victim


When asked how many people she knew who were connected to this tragedy, resident Krysle Modglin said, "At least a dozen, if not more."

Everyone in Roseburg knows someone affected by these killings in one way or another.

For Modglin, it's right outside that kitchen window in the home of Lucero Alcaraz. Tragedy did not just come to her hometown or neighborhood. It's right next door.


"She went to school, was always smiling every time I was outside she'd smile at me and say hello and that's the kind of person she is. And the world is robbed of a beautiful young woman," said Modglin.

Roseburg waited for an official naming of victims through most of Friday.

The shooter is a person whose name no one will utter. That began with Sheriff John Hanlin.

"I continue to believe that those media and community members who publicize his name will only glorify his horrific actions and eventually this will only serve to inspire future shooters," he said a news conference Thursday night.

The people of Roseburg lock-step with that.


"We need to know who the victims are," said resident Kathy Standridge. "That is who we need to support. We don't need to support the person who did this tragedy."

"He deserves nothing. His whole backstory and what drove him? I don't care. I care about the families he affected because he was selfish," said Modglin.

Families as close as the one next door.

With the releasing of those names, the tragedy unfolds now even more in detail as we're learning about those victims. For example, Modglin's neighbor Alcaraz was a 19-year-old honor student and was attending college on a scholarship. Her family says she wanted to become a pediatric nurse and that she was the responsible one.



ABC7 News reporter Wayne Freedman is in Roseburg. You can see his reports during our evening newscasts or follow him on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.

Click here for full coverage on the Oregon college shooting shooting.