principal michael dorn was found dead yesterday. as our zachary quiche reports, students are feeling the loss. >> reporter: the death of michael dorn has rocked the school community here at wooten high school. you can see the memorial that's happening here. this is his parking spot right in front of the school. this is today, the day that teachers return. this is the day they would have seen mr. dorn for the first time since the summer break. dorn had been here for about 12 years. he had made a name for himself, a reputation for being a fierce advocate for the students. when things got tough is when he stood up. i had an opportunity to talk to him this spring after another tragedy, the death of a couple students in a car accident. the way that he spoke of the students here, it was clear he looked at them not just as students but as people, people that needed his love, people that needed his affection. he was found dead yesterday in his apartment. he was just 64 years old. >> it hasn't been easy at all, by any means. he has lost so m

michael dorn. his sudden death wednesday shocked parents, students and staff. our stephanie ramirez is live where the community is gathering at the school stadium. stephanie? >> reporter: derek, everyone is packing into the stadium now. 6:00 is when the memorial begins. i'm told by the assistants as -- the assistant principal they're expecting 2,500 people or more. i'm told he was principal here 12 years, the news of his sudden death hitting like a terrible shock wave throughout the community, especially students who are supposed to start school a week from monday. these students were very keen in coordinating today's memorial making handmade banners. there will be singing. they made about 3,000 pins here. they tell us they couldn't not do this for someone who was always an inspiration to them. >> i was working in the counseling office and so i basically just spent the whole day coloring in pictures and answering the phone and he would come in and be like still coloring and i'm like yeah. once i was like would you like one of my colorings and he's like make sur

principal michael dorn was found dead in his apartment yesterday. the cause of his death is still undetermined. news4's sackry quiche reports on how students there are remembering a man they knew as a leader and a friend. >> reporter: the death of michael doren has rocked the school community here at wooten high school. you can see the memorial that's happening here. this is parking spot right in front of this school, this is today, the day the teachers return. this is the day that they would have seen mr. dorn for the first time since the summer break. doren had been here for about 12 years. he had made a name for himself, a reputation for being a fierce advocate of the students. he was a pillar around school and when things got tough is when really he stood up. i had an opportunity to talk to him this spring after another tragedy, the death of a couple students in a car accident and the way that he spoke of the students here, it was clear that he looked at them not just as students, but as people, people that needed his love, people that needed hi