Alumni from Parkland, Florida high school hold vigil in Atlanta

ATLANTA - Dozens of alumni from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School gathered in Atlanta to pay tribute to the victims and shared memories of their coach who died Wednesday saving students.

"When I heard there was a faculty down really early, I knew he would run towards [the shooter]," said Alex Fulton, class of 2012, who played football under Assistant Coach Alex Feis.

Fulton was one of the dozens living in Atlanta who gathered at Chastain Park and lit 17 candles for each of the victims, which include Coach Feis.

Feis was heralded as a hero after witnesses said he used his body as a human shield to allow students to run to safety.

"Not a single person is surprised. Everyone says, that's exactly how he would go out," he said.

Plenty of people shared memories of Feis, who was known for his sense of humor, and words of encouragement to students and athletes.

"He'd still pull you aside and say, 'we're being hard on you because we care, and we're pushing you to be better,'" said alumni Amanda Tarr.

Alumni also let go of balloons into the sky to pay tribute to the victims. Some plan a trip to Parkland next week to deliver a card with will wishes written by alumni.