Skip to main content
Clear icon
57º

Venezuelan recently sworn U.S. citizen was among victims of school massacre

Joaquin Oliver was a Venezuelan soccer and American football fan

Joaquin Oliver

PARKLAND, Fla. – Joaquin Oliver was a toddler when he left his native Venezuela. Amid a political crisis, his parents wanted him to grow up in the safety of South Florida. They never imagined he would one day become the victim of a school massacre in Parkland. 

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student, known as "Guac" among friends, died in the mass shooting Wednesday. A deranged former student, police identified as Nikolas Cruz, 19, killed him and 16 others. 

Recommended Videos



"Venezuelan forever," the 17-year-old U.S. citizen wrote on an Instagram post last year

Oliver dreamed with a prosperous and peaceful Venezuela. He was among the young students in South Florida who believed that a free and democratic election could end up with the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He didn't get to see his country change. 

He did get to become a U.S. citizen January 2017. He told his friends he was proud and wore a black bow tie and, long pants and a black vest for the swearing ceremony, which he attended with his family. They later celebrated at home. 

Oliver was an avid fan of the Venezuelan national soccer team, Florida State University, football, basketball, urban graffiti art, R&B and hip hop. He was a fan of Frank Ocean and dyed his hair to commemorate his critically-acclaimed "Blonde" album. 

Oliver was in love. His last social media post was a love dedication to his girlfriend, Victoria Gonzalez. 

"Thank you lord for putting a greater blessing than I could ever imagine into my life this past year," he wrote. "I love you with all my heart."


About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Loading...

Recommended Videos