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
