Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
New Mexico: Teacher described as hero calls incident 'harrowing'
He's being hailed as a hero, a teacher who stared down someone who tried to harm two other students.
And were it not for his bravery, authorities say, the horror that unfolded at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, New Mexico, could have been worse. Much worse.
John Masterson, a social studies teacher, is credited with talking a 12-year-old suspect into stopping his harmful activities after attempting to kill two other students in an incident Tuesday.
Masterson has taught at the school for a decade, and also coaches track and soccer, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
When contacted by the newspaper, he said police told him not to discuss details of the incident.
"It was a harrowing experience," he told the paper. "All I can say was the staff there did a great job."
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was more forthcoming.
Masterson, she said, walked up to the suspect and convinced him to stop.
"Mr. Masterson ... was a hero ...who stood there" and that he allowed the suspect an opportunity to harm him. And also said "and to talk down that young boy...so that there would be no more young kids hurt."
Teachers train to face school threats like that one.
Intervening bravely
Police don't yet know why the suspect, a 7th grader, walked into the crowded gym at the beginning of the school day and started harming other students.
Kendal Sanders, 13, and an 11-year-old boy were injured in the incident, the latter critically. His name has not been released.
...
But he wasn't the only teacher who put the schoolchildren's safety ahead of his.
And were it not for his bravery, authorities say, the horror that unfolded at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, New Mexico, could have been worse. Much worse.
John Masterson, a social studies teacher, is credited with talking a 12-year-old suspect into stopping his harmful activities after attempting to kill two other students in an incident Tuesday.
Masterson has taught at the school for a decade, and also coaches track and soccer, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
When contacted by the newspaper, he said police told him not to discuss details of the incident.
"It was a harrowing experience," he told the paper. "All I can say was the staff there did a great job."
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was more forthcoming.
Masterson, she said, walked up to the suspect and convinced him to stop.
"Mr. Masterson ... was a hero ...who stood there" and that he allowed the suspect an opportunity to harm him. And also said "and to talk down that young boy...so that there would be no more young kids hurt."
Teachers train to face school threats like that one.
Intervening bravely
Police don't yet know why the suspect, a 7th grader, walked into the crowded gym at the beginning of the school day and started harming other students.
Kendal Sanders, 13, and an 11-year-old boy were injured in the incident, the latter critically. His name has not been released.
...
But he wasn't the only teacher who put the schoolchildren's safety ahead of his.
(source: CNN)