Teacher hailed as hero after tackling student who fired gun (w/Video)
A teacher at a Lacey, Wash., high school is being hailed as a hero after he tackled and subdued an armed student who had fired two gunshots, police say. No one was injured, and the student was in custody.
KIRO-TV reports that the shooting occurred at North Thurston High School at about 7:45 am. Monday. The alleged shooter is a 16-year-old boy who police say transferred to North Thurston about a month ago.
The teacher, described as "very heroic" by Lacey Police Commander Jim Mack, has been identified as Brady Olson, who teaches advanced placement government.
, Olson says: "From administrators to teachers, all reacted to a very intense situation with incredible tact and professionalism. No one, including myself, can prepare for a situation like this, so I’m very thankful that we’re all okay. ... I reacted in a way that any other teacher would react."
The first shot was fired near a gymnasium, and a second shot was fired in the school's commons area, authorities say. Police had not established why the student brought a weapon to school or why he began shooting.
All classes and activities at the North Thurston High were cancelled Monday.
MORE: Video from KIRO-TV
About the Author
Mike Kennedy
Senior Editor
Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.