SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
We're learning more about the victims of this week's mass shootings at a community college in Roseburg, Ore. Officials say that nine people were killed by the gunman. Chris Lehman of the Northwest News Network reports.
CHRIS LEHMAN, BYLINE: Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin read the list of names.
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JOHN HANLIN: Lucero Alcaraz of Roseburg, 19 years old; Quinn Glen Cooper of Roseburg, 18 years old; Kim Saltmarsh Dietz of Roseburg, 59 years old...
LEHMAN: Four of the people whose names Hanlin read were teenagers. The oldest was a 67-year-old professor. All were from Roseburg or surrounding towns here in southwest Oregon.
Hanlin said the families of the victims don't want to speak publicly about their loss, but officials read statements from some of those who lost loved ones. Oregon State Police Sergeant Carrie Boyd read from a statement issued by Quinn Cooper's family.
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CARRIE BOYD: Quinn was funny, sweet, compassionate and such a wonderful, loving person. He always stood up for people.
LEHMAN: It was Cooper's fourth day as a college student. Oregon's governor and members of the state's congressional delegation visited Roseburg to offer their condolences. It was an especially personal trip for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. He learned about the shooting while walking to a meeting on Capitol Hill.
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JEFF MERKLEY: I was told, there's been a tragedy in Oregon. There's been a mass shooting in Oregon, and, Senator, it's from your home county, from Douglas County.
LEHMAN: Merkley's family moved to Roseburg when he was 2, and he says this shooting took the life of someone in his extended family.
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MERKLEY: One of the individuals who died is the great-granddaughter of my first cousin, so she is my cousin. And I just tell you it - every heart is damaged and broken.
LEHMAN: Merkley's relative was 18-year-old Rebecca Ann Carnes. Officials say the shooter also wounded nine people. One of those is Chris Mintz. The Army veteran has been hailed as a hero. Witnesses say Mintz rushed the shooter in an attempt to disarm him. He was shot seven times. Jason Gray is the chief medical officer at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg, where Mintz is hospitalized.
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JASON GRAY: He is currently stable condition - recovering. His spirits are well. He is not in a condition to speak with the media but did want us to pass along his ask that the media focus not on him but focus on all of the victims and the survivors out there.
LEHMAN: Roseburg leaders say there are more victims than those who were shot. Christine Seals is a physician who helps coordinate mental health services in Douglas County. She says even those with no connection to the shooting may be in for a rough emotional ride.
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CHRISTINE SEALS: Most people won't be prepared for the shock that they feel. Some people may feel very angry, anxious and overwhelmed. Some may close off and not actually feel anything for a period of time.
LEHMAN: Grief counselors are available at several locations around the town, and Umpqua Community College says it will have counselors on campus Monday, when its administrative offices reopen. Classes there are canceled until October 9. For NPR News, I'm Chris Lehman in Roseburg, Ore. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.