Colorado Shooting: Victims Who Died While Saving Their Loved Ones

July 22, 2012 — -- Stories of heroism have emerged from inside the movie theater in Aurora, Colo., where 12 people were killed early Friday when James Holmes allegedly opened fire in a packed midnight screening of the latest Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."

Several victims died saving their loved ones.

Matthew R. McQuinn, 27, of Denver, Colo., was watching "The Dark Knight Rises" with his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, and her brother Nick Yowler, when Holmes began shooting.

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.

Alexander Teves attended the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" 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.

Jonathan T. Blunk of Aurora, Colo., pushed his girlfriend 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 U.S. 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.