President Shares Story of Hero in Theater Shooting

By Melissa Abbey, CNN

(CNN) — Over the weekend, President Barack Obama met with many of the Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting victims and their families.

He has said that “some of the stories are remarkable” — stories of bravery, sacrifice and resilience.

But in a speech to the Aurora community Sunday night, the president highlighted one story: that of best friends Allie Young and Stephanie Davies.

Young, 19, instinctively stood when the gunman threw canisters only a few feet from the pair and was immediately shot in the neck, he said. She collapsed, blood spurting from the wound, he said.

But instead of running or hiding, Davies, 21, pulled Young into the aisle and put pressure on the wound with one hand and dialed 911 with the other, Obama said.

He said Young told her friend to run, but Davies refused.

When the SWAT team arrived, Davies helped carry Young to an ambulance. Because of Davies’ actions, Young is going to be fine, he said.

“I don’t know how many people at any age would have the presence of mind that Stephanie did, or the courage that Allie showed,” he said. “They represent what’s best in us, and they assure us that out of this darkness, a brighter day is going to come.”