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UCSB Student Tried to Save Isla Vista Victim, Saw Familiar Face

Alyssa Hopper ducked and called 911 as a gunman opened fire at an Isla Vista deli. She then tried to help one of the victims - only to realize she knew him.
Image: A woman cries in front of a makeshift memorial for UCSB student Christopher Michael-Martinez in Isla Vista
A woman cries in front of a makeshift memorial for 20-year-old UCSB student Christopher Michael-Martinez outside a deli that was one of nine crime scenes after series of drive-by shootings that left 7 people dead in the Isla Vista neighborhood of Santa Barbara, Calif. on May 25, 2014.LUCY NICHOLSON / Reuters

NBC Los Angeles

UC Santa Barbara sophomore Alyssa Hopper ducked and called 911 as a gunman opened fire at an Isla Vista deli Friday night, killing one of six people during a killing spree that spanned several blocks in the seaside community.

Hopper said she heard more than a dozen shots fired during the drive-by shooting.

“It turned into absolute mayhem,” said 19-year-old Hopper, who can be seen ducking down in surveillance video.

FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE RAMPAGE IN ISLA VISTA VISIT NBC NEWS LOS ANGELES

She said the store was filled with people, many fleeing through a rear exit.

"All the people who got stuck in the front were pretty much trapped right there," Hopper said.

But Hopper, who was not injured by the gunfire, stayed behind to help a victim, 20-year-old UCSB student Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez.

Read: Isla Vista Mass Shooting Victims Identified

Attempting to save his life, Hopper made a shocking discovery.

“I was giving him CPR, looked down and recognized his face,” Hopper said. “He was the first person I met at freshman orientation.”

Timeline: Isla Vista Mass Shooting

Michaels-Martinez died from his wounds.

Hopper returned to the deli Sunday, struggling to step inside knowing she did all she could to save Michaels-Martinez.

Read more at NBCLosAngeles.com