Middle School Teacher Reportedly Stopped 12-Year-Old Alleged Shooter Who Opened Fire On Two
Source: Associated Press
Officials credit John Masterson, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, with saving lives as he immediately stepped in and talked the boy into dropping his weapon. Masterson then held him until authorities arrived.
"He stood there and allowed the gun to be pointed right at him," Gov. Susana Martinez told a packed room of 1,500 or so people at a prayer vigil late Tuesday, "so there would be no more young kids hurt."
Officials also credit previous "active shooter" drills by Roswell Independent School District for preparing teachers and students, who say they were ready for what happened Tuesday morning. Students say they even thought the shooting was a surprise drill at first.
"I thought it was a drill. I really did," James said. "Then, I realized it wasn't."
Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/roswell_middle_school_shooting
If only the teacher was armed...
groundloop
(11,523 posts)Obviously I'm thrilled that the teacher was able to end this in the manner that he did. But DAMN, our politicians need to open their eyes and stand up to the NRA once and for all.
Paladin
(28,276 posts)Dash87
(3,220 posts)PatSeg
(47,613 posts)Chorophyll
(5,179 posts)teachers should get combat pay and free treatment for PTSD.
If only we loved our kids and our educators as much as we love guns. Just imagine.
DallasNE
(7,403 posts)And a lot of courage.
When the dust settles I expect we will find where bullying is again a factor so when is the issue of bullying going to be addressed in a realistic manner. We are the only nation in the world where schools have "active shooter" drills and that speaks volumes. And it is far too late in the process for the kind of prevention that is needed. Intervention in they cycle of bullying is where it needs to start and it needs to include classes for the parents of kids who bully. If parents balk then the kids don't get readmitted to school.
kag
(4,079 posts)...vastly more powerful than a gun if you know how to wield it.
VWolf
(3,944 posts)Union Thug as well!
Dustlawyer
(10,497 posts)Aristus
(66,467 posts)groundloop
(11,523 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,631 posts)Meet John Masterson, the 'Amazing' Hero Teacher of the New Mexico School Shooting
January 15, 2014 11:11 AM
fter a tragic school shooting that critically wounded two students in New Mexico Tuesday, a longtime teacher is being hailed for his bravery.
Authorities said John Masterson, a social studies teacher at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, talked the 12-year-old gunman into setting down his weapon, a sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun, and prevented more children from coming into harm, NBC News reports.
Mr. Masterson
was a hero
He stood there and allowed the gun to be pointed right at him, so there would be no more young kids hurt, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez told reporters at a vigil Tuesday. Martinez added that Masterson persuaded the suspect to lay down the firearm while at gunpoint. He is an amazing man, she said.
State Police Chief Pete Kassetas expressed similar sentiments: Its one thing for a armed state police officer to enter a school and do his or her job, he said. Its another thing for a teacher, staff member to intervene in a situation like this.
More:
http://www.parade.com/253330/viannguyen/meet-john-masterson-the-amazing-hero-teacher-of-the-new-mexico-school-shooting/