Remembering the Colorado Shooting Victims

July 21, 2012— -- intro: Twelve people were killed and 58 were injured in Aurora, Colo., during a sold-out midnight premiere of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" when 24-year-old James Holmes allegedly unloaded four weapons' full of ammunition into the unsuspecting crowd.

The number of casualties makes the incident the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Here's a look at those who died:

quicklist: 1title: Jessica Ghawitext: Jessica Ghawi, 24, was an aspiring sportscaster who had recently moved from San Antonio, Texas, to Denver,Colo.

Ghawi's mother Sandy Phillips said her daughter texted her from the theater: "[She] texted, 'Mom go get some sleep, get some rest, I'm so excited about your visit next week. I need my mama.' And I wrote back and said, 'I need my baby girl.'"

Ghawi had narrowly escaped a shoot-out at a Toronto food court last month that killed one person.

"She had an epiphany at the moment that it could happen to any of us at any time and instead of being afraid of that she embraced life even more fully," Phillips said.

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quicklist: 2title: Alex Sullivantext: On a day that should have been marked for celebration, Alex Sullivan's friends and family hadn't been able to reach him.

The married bartender celebrated his 27th birthday by attending the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo., with his co-workers.

"Oh man one hour till the movie and its going to be the best BIRTHDAY ever," he tweeted.

A family friend has now confirmed that Alex Sullivan is among the people who died in the theater shortly after midnight, allegedly at the hands of suspect James Holmes.

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quicklist: 3title: Micayla Medektext: Micayla Medek's family heard she had been injured during the shooting, but searched for her for 20 hours before finding out she was dead, a source told the Los Angeles Times.

Anita Busch, the cousin of Medek's father, told The Associated Press that the "family took the news hard, but knowing her fate after waiting without word brought them some peace."

The 23-year-old was known to family and friends as "Cayla."

She wrote on her Facebook profile, "My name is Micayla, but everyone usually calls me Cayla. I'm a simple independent girl who's just trying to get her life together while still having fun."

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quicklist: 4 title: Alexander Tevestext:Alexander Teves attended the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora with his girlfriend Amanda and another friend identified on Twitter as "Caitlin."

Teves' father, Tom, told ABC News that Alex was shot and killed as he was blocking his girlfriend from the bullet. She was not hit.

Tom Teves said his son has a "heart of gold" and would do anything to save her.

Caitlin made it outside unharmed. She tweeted, "Alex Teves was one of the best men I ever knew. The world isn't as good a place without him."

Caitlin is now asking people wishing to help to donate blood.

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quicklist: 5title: John Larimertext: The family of a Navy sailor from Illinois has confirmed he was among the 12 victims killed in the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater early Friday morning.

Petty Officer 3rd Class John Larimer was 27.

His commanding officer, Jeffrey Jakuboski, said Larimer was an "outstanding shipmate, a valued member of our Navy team and an extremely dedicated sailor."

"You know I feel like I lost one of my sons. And you know I don't see it as any different than losing a member in combat," said Jakuboski at a news conference at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo.

"Sailors were really drawn to his calming demeanor and exceptional work ethic. He was also known as that quiet, extremely competent professional," Jakuboski added.

John Larimer's family said in a statement they were notified around midnight today at their Crystal Lake, Ill., home by a Navy notification team that their 27-year-old son was dead.

Larimer's family are now are making arrangements to bring Larimer's body back to Illinois.

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quicklist: 6title: Veronica Moser-Sullivantext: The youngest victim of the shooting was 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan. Her family confirms she was killed.

Veronica's mother, 25-year-old Ashley Moser, who attended the film with her daughter, was pregnant when she was shot in the neck and abdomen. She remains in critical condition.

Veronica was scheduled to begin swim lessons on Tuesday.

"She always wanted to meet new people. Try new things. She was just a happy little girl. So sad that she had to have life taken away from her," said Katherine Young, Veronica's cousin.

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quicklist: 7title: Alexander J. Boiktext:Eighteen-year-old Alexander J. Boik is being remembered as a talented and kind man who enjoyed baseball, making pottery and music.

He graduated from Gateway High School in Aurora this year. His Principal William Hedges, attending a vigil at the school Saturday, said Boik was well-liked.

"He was full of school spirit. He was often the one leading the crowd at basketball games and football games," said Hedges.

"Some students fit in well with one group or another and he seemed to transcend various groups within the building," Hedges added.

Hundreds of people, including many teenagers, attended the vigil.

Boik, known to friends as AJ, was supposed to begin studying at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in the fall.

His friends shared their condolences on Twitter.

"R.I.P Aj Boik.You constantly would brighten people's day with your humor and good spirit. Middle school and baseball wouldn't be the same," wrote Tre Freeman.

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quicklist: 8title: Jesse E. Childresstext: Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress was an Air Force reservist assigned to units at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado. He was 29.

Air Force Lt. Col. Pat Walsh said that Childress was respected in the 310th Force Support Squadron.

"He literally touched everyone in the Wing ... over a thousand people; it's just hard and I know our folks ... we'll get through this but it's extremely difficult for us right now," said Walsh at a news conference.Click here for full ABC News coverage.media: 16832288

quicklist: 9title: Rebecca Ann Wingotext:Rebecca Ann Wingo, 32, grew up in Quinlan, Texas and left her hometown to join the Air Force. She learned Mandarin Chinese and served as a translator.

She studied at the Community College of Aurora and became an intake specialist at a mobile medical imaging company called Schryver Medical.

Her father, Steve Hernandez, wrote this on Facebook Saturday: "I lost my daughter yesterday to a mad man, my grief right now is inconsolable. I hear she died instantly, without pain, however the pain is unbearable, Lord why, why, why?"

Wingo was the mother of two young girls.

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quicklist: 10title: Gordon W. Cowdentext: Gordon W. Cowden, 51, took his two teenage children to see the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises."

His family released a statement that reads, "Loving father, outdoorsman and small business owner, Cowden was a true Texas gentleman that loved life and his family. A quick witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor, 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."

Cowden was the oldest of the 12 victims killed in the shooting.

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quicklist: 11title: Jonathan T. Blunktext: Jonathan T. Blunk of Aurora, Colo., pushed his friend under the theater seat when James Holmes allegedly started open firing into the audience at the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." He told her, 'We have to get down.'

The 26-year-old served five years in the Navy and worked in Aurora at a hardware store.

Blunk was supposed to fly to Reno, Nev., Saturday to see his wife, 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son.

"We were going to have a family day," his wife, Chantel Blunk, told ABC News affiliate The Denver Channel.

"I tried to tell [my daughter] we wouldn't see Daddy anymore. But that he would still love us and look over us," Chantel Blunk added.

The Blunk's 4-year-old daughter is comforted by calling her father's cell phone and hearing his voice on the on voicemail.

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quicklist: 12title: Matthew R. McQuinntext: Matthew R. McQuinn, 27, of Denver, Colo., was watching "The Dark Knight Rises" with his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, and her brother Nick Yowler, when James Holmes allegedly began shooting into the audience.

McQuinn dove on top of his girlfriend in an attempt to shield her, as did her brother. Samantha and her brother survived, but McQuinn did not.

Samantha Yowler was hit by a bullet and is recovering in the hospital.

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