A social studies teacher is being recognized for bravely disarming the student that opened fire at Berrendo Middle School in New Mexico on Tuesday, the New York Daily News reported.
According to officials, social studies teacher John Masteron talked the 12-year-old shooter into putting his gun down after he shot a 13-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy.
"(Masterson) stood there and allowed a gun to be pointed right at him," said New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. "And to talk down that young boy to drop the gun so that there would be no more young kids hurt."
In addition, a state police lieutenant was dropping off his child at school when he heard the gunfire, prompting him to quickly rush inside to the scene where he witnessed Masteron take control of the situation.
"It's one thing for an armed state police officer to enter the school and do his or her job," said New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas. "It's another thing for a teacher, staff member to intervene in a situation like this."
The injured girl, identified by her father as Kendal Sanders, and the unidentified boy were sent to the nearest hospital but eventually airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Officials said Sanders was shot in the right shoulder and is suspected to survive. However, the boy was shot in the face and is listed in critical condition.
A faculty member was injured during the shooting as he tried to help students escape from the gymnasium but declined medical attention when first responders arrived.
"I can stand here and tell you that in the 10 seconds that transpired from the time of this thing starting until the teacher had control of the weapon. There was no cowardice," said Roswell Independent School District Superintendent Tom Burris.
The state police chief added in a press conference that the shooter may have warned fellow students about opening fire.
"We have preliminary information that possibly some of the students were warned by the individual prior to the shooting not to go to school," Kassetas said.
