Brooklyn-Born Hero Killed In Florida Shooting Gets Military Honor

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — A Brooklyn-born teenager who was shot dead while helping classmates escape the brutal school shooting in Florida last week was granted posthumous acceptance to West Point, the military school he had hoped to attend, officials said.

West Point officials announced Tuesday the academy would honor Peter Wang, the 15-year-old last seen holding the door open for students who fled 19-year-old gunman Nicholas Cruz at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day.

“It was an appropriate way for USMA to honor this brave young man,” West Point officials said in a statement. “West Point has given posthumous offers of admissions in very rare instances for those candidates or potential candidate's whose actions exemplified the tenets of Duty, Honor and Country.

Wang, an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet reportedly born in Brooklyn, and his last heroic act were first publicized by his cousin Aaron Chen, the Miami Herald reported.

Chen, 16, shared photos and stories of his life-long friendship with Wang — who protected him from bullying when Chen first moved to America from China — and praised his cousin's courage in the moments before his death.

“Nicholas Cruz shot Peter in the head while he was holding the door so other people could escape,” said Chen in an Instagram video. “So don’t you dare come up to me and tell me there’s no such thing as gun violence.”

Chen is one of many in a group of family members and students who have called for stricter gun controls laws in the days following the high school massacre.

“We’re not going to let this happen to anyone, anywhere — not again,” said Chen. “That’s what Peter stood for.”

Tens of thousands of people responded to Wang’s story by signing a petition demanding the White House grant him full military honors and an official burial. The petition, created on Feb. 16, has garnered 61,098 signatures in just four days.

“Wang died a hero, and deserves to be treated as such, and deserves a full honors military burial,” the petition reads. “His selfless and heroic actions have led to the survival of dozens in the area.

A Wang family friend also launched a GoFundMe campaign and raised more than $16,000 for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas ROTC program on their behalf.

“[Wang’s family] are moved and touched by everyone's support for Peter,” wrote Chino Loeng. “The donation will be made in Peter's honor and will help insure future generation of students are taught the same leadership and responsibilities that made their son a hero.”

West Point announced it would offer Wang an honorary letter of acceptance the day of his funeral, which was held in Coral Springs Florida on Tuesday, according to Loeng.