Florida Shooting Victim, 14, Lived In NJ, 'Loved, Well-Respected'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A beloved teen who once lived in New Jersey, a "loved" and "well-respected" 14-year-old praised by her travel soccer team, was one of the 17 people killed at a Florida high school Wednesday, according to reports.

Alyssa Alhadeff, 14, formerly of Woodcliff Lake, was a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Woodcliff Lake school officials confirmed Thursday that Alhadeff and her family lived in the borough from about 2010 to 2014, NorthJersey.com reported.

Alyssa's mother, Lori Alhadeff, appeared grief-stricken in a CNN video when she appealed for change to the nation's gun culture. "How do we allow a gunman to come into a children's school? How do they get through security?" she asked in the video (see below).

"President Trump, you say, 'What can you do?' You can stop the guns from getting into these children's hands," the mother said in the video.

Alhadeff was reported missing by her grandmother after the shooting, according to CNN. Woodland Lake Superintendent Lauren Barbelet said in a statement that the district "is saddened by "the event that transpired in Parkland, Florida.

"The thoughts and prayers of our students, staff and community are with all those that have been affected by this terrible tragedy," Barbelet said. "A former Woodcliff Lake family is grieving at this time. We grieve with this family and offer our love and support."

Alyssa was a player for Parkland Travel Soccer. "Alyssa Alhadeff was a loved and well respected member of our club and community," Parkland Travel Soccer said on Facebook (photos of Alyssa and whole statement from travel soccer club below). "Alyssa will be greatly missed."

Steve Goldman, a friend of the Alhadeff family when they lived in Woodcliff Lake, said Thursday that he spent "a ton" of time with them. "I am proud I was able to be part of her life for a few years, but blessed that she was part our soccer family, part of us for the many years that we were blessed by her presence," Goldman said on Facebook.

Parkland Travel Soccer held a vigil for Alhadeff Thursday afternoon.

The alleged shooter, Nikolas Jacob Cruz, was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. Several other people were injured after Cruz, a former student who was expelled last year, allegedly opened fire, according to Florida law enforcement and school officials.

Police departments throughout Bergen County and New Jersey have increased patrols at schools Thursday. Some said they would continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

President Trump addressed the nation Thursday morning, saying he would be meeting with governors and attorneys general later this month to discuss ways to make schools and children safer.

"We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health," he said.

Trump said he was making plans to travel to Parkland to visit with victims' families and local officials.

"No child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school," Trump said. "No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning."

Lori Alhadeff said in the CNN video that more needs to be done.

"How, how do we allow a gunman to come into our school? How do they get through security? What security is there? There’s no metal detectors. A gunman, a crazy person, just walks right into the school, knocks out the window of my child’s door and starts shooting, shooting her and killing her," Lori Alhadeff said, her raised voice cracking. "I just spent the last two hours putting the burial arrangements for my daughter’s funeral. President Trump: Do something. Action, we need it now. These kids need safety now."

Here is the CNN video and social media posts paying tribute to Alyssa:

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CNN video and image via YouTube