The stories of heroism in the Florida shooting

Football coach shielded students

The assistant football coach and school security guard Aaron Feis stood in front of students, protecting them while the shooter gunned him down, says the football team.

"He died the same way he lived -- he put himself second."

Teacher hid her class in a closet

Melissa Falkowski, a journalism teacher at the school huddled 19 students in a closet while gunfire rang in the halls. She and the students all survived. Falkowski told NBC News that some of her students were "hysterical" while she tried to ensure their safety until SWAT could escort them out of the building.

"This is the worst nightmare that could ever happen to you."

Janitor ushered students to safety

An unnamed school janitor guided students away from the shooter and into a classroom where they hid until the building was cleared. Student David Hogg said they were only about 100 feet away from the gunman.

"There was a janitor that thank God stopped me and all of my fellow students from going in that direction, towards the shooter."