Tori Johnson, a 34-year old WSU alumnus who graduated in 2003, is one of two hostages killed during an attack at the Lindt Chocolat Café in Sydney, Australia early Tuesday morning, Australia Central Standard Time (ACST).

The other victim, according to reports by the Associated Press, is Katrina Dawson, a 38-year-old lawyer with three children.

There were 17 hostages total. Dawson and Johnson were the only two killed. The sum of casualties amounted to three, including 50-year-old gunman Man Haron Monis.

Robert Strenge, the assistant director of WSU News Service, said that initial reports that Johnson is a WSU graduate came from Australian news sources yesterday evening, Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Strenge confirmed that Johnson was a student whose tenure lasted from August 2002 to August 2003. Johnson was a transfer student, his original school unknown, who completed a bachelor degree in business hospitality, Strenge said.

At this time, university officials believe all or most of Johnson’s classes were taken online, though the topic is still being investigated by officials. To the university’s knowledge, Johnson’s home address during his tenure was located in Switzerland, Strenge said.

Johnson’s family, friends and coworkers have released statements since the Sydney siege addressing Johnson’s life as they knew him.

“Tori had been with us at Lindt for just over two years,” Steve Loane, CEO of Lindt Australia, said in his statement released on the company’s official Facebook page. “He was a dedicated professional who always built a great rapport with his customers and was much loved by the Lindt team.”

The release went on to state that Johnson was the manager of Sydney’s Lindt Chocolat Café location, which he cared about passionately.

According to AP reports, Johnson tried to wrestle the gun out of the gunman’s hand before being killed himself. The shot that killed Johnson triggered the response of police, which eventually freed the rest of the hostages.

Dawson, the other victim killed by the gunman, acted similarly heroically. AP reports Dawson was shielding her pregnant friend.

Johnson’s family released a statement through Australian journalist Ben Fordham’s Twitter on behalf of Tori. A condolence for Dawson was included.

“We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for,” the release stated.

Johnson’s family thanked anyone who has expressed support, as well as the police, armed forces, and paramedics.

“We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson,” the release stated.

The family asks that the media respect their privacy during this time.

Reporting by Lance Lijewski