Crowd gathers to mourn Georgia victim in Chattanooga attack

Cathy Wells, left, the mother of Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, known as "Skip," is embraced by Lance Cpl. Kurt Bright, one of Wells' best friends upon arriving for a memorial service for her son at Sprayberry High School where he attended, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Marietta, Ga. Crowds gathered at the suburban Atlanta high school to remember the Marine who was fatally shot in an attack on military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Cathy Wells, left, the mother of Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, known as "Skip," is embraced by Lance Cpl. Kurt Bright, one of Wells' best friends upon arriving for a memorial service for her son at Sprayberry High School where he attended, Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in Marietta, Ga. Crowds gathered at the suburban Atlanta high school to remember the Marine who was fatally shot in an attack on military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

By Associated Press July 21, 2015 1 min read

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) – A large crowd has gathered at a suburban Atlanta high school to remember a Marine who was fatally shot in an attack on military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sprayberry High School in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta hosted a vigil for Lance Cpl. Squire Wells on Tuesday evening. Wells, known as “Skip,” attended Sprayberry and Georgia Southern University before enlisting in the Marine Corps.

Wells’ last two words as he was texting his girlfriend Thursday were “ACTIVE SHOOTER.”

During the ceremony, ROTC instructor Lt. Commander Dennis Wonders read final orders relieving Wells of duty and officials said a memorial plaque would be installed on campus in his honor.

Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered flags to fly at half-staff for Wells and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith of Rossville until July 30.