Florida School Shooting Victim Nicholas Dworet Was Aspiring Olympic Swimmer

Nicholas Dworet was a high school senior, a “charismatic young man” and an aspiring Olympic swimmer who would have turned 18 next month.

He was one of 17 people killed in a mass shooting on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

“He was, you know, just a very charismatic young man. He was so handsome — blond hair, blue eyes,” Nicole Nilsson, a family friend, told TIME on Thursday. “He had many, many friends because he was so funny and likable. He was a good student. He loved his family — got along great with his mom and dad and his brother. Just a great, great wonderful family.”

Dworet had recently committed to join the University of Indianapolis swim team as a freshman in the fall. “So happy to announce my verbal commitment to the university of Indianapolis,” he wrote in an Instagram post last month. “I can’t wait to spend the next 4 years here!”

Read TIME and USA Today