Middle School Teacher Reportedly Stopped 12-Year-Old Alleged Shooter Who Opened Fire On Two

[Capt. Obvious]

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

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If only the teacher was armed...

[groundloop]

1. "Active Shooter Drills"..... what a sad statement about our society

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]

2. +1000. (nt)

[Dash87]

3. The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun!

[PatSeg]

5. The first thing that popped in my head

[Chorophyll]

4. On top of good salaries and pensions,

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]

6. The Teacher Was Armed. He Was Armed With A Brain

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]

9. Yes! Armed with a brain...

...vastly more powerful than a gun if you know how to wield it.

[VWolf]

7. Oh, one of those "moochers", eh?

[Turbineguy]

13. And

Union Thug as well!

[Dustlawyer]

8. K&R!!! Can you say, government employee HERO!!!

[Aristus]

10. He did it without using a gun? Oh man, the NRA's gonna HATE that!

[groundloop]

11. Yep.... obviously a left wing conspiracy to cut gun sales.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Meet John Masterson, the 'Amazing' Hero Teacher of the New Mexico School Shooting

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: “It’s one thing for a armed state police officer to enter a school and do his or her job,” he said. “It’s 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/