LACEY, Wash. — Teacher Brady Olson spoke publicly on Tuesday about taking down a gunman inside North Thurston High School, but he says he was just reacting to a situation.
- Shooter fired one shot into the ground, one shot into the air before he was tackled. No one hit.
- Teacher Brady Olson says support has been phenomenal.
- Absence were excused on Tuesday when students returned to class.
"I hear the word hero, and I've got a good friend who flies with the 160th [Special Operations Aviation Regiment], and they fly special forces. He's been on multiple deployments," Olson said. "And he is a hero who does it time and time again. I reacted to a situation."
Students returned to class about 24 hours after the teen gunman fired one shot into the ground and another shot into the air.
Lacey police said the 16-year-old student, who had just transferred to the school from Mount Rainier High School, about a month ago, was arrested. His gun was fully loaded before he started shooting, police said.
Police said the shooter had taken the gun from his parents, who owned it legally. He allegedly told police he shot into the ground and air because he didn't want to hurt anyone.
Olson said, in the nature of him being a big guy, he enveloped the student with a gun - more than tackling him.
No one was hit by gunfire and no students or staff members were injured.
"I think that's a heroic thing," student Devin Santos said. "No one was doing anything, so he stopped the kid from shooting other people."
While he was holding the student on the ground, Olson said he comforted the teen, "I had a conversation while I was laying on top of him. I was trying to reassure him he's going to get some help. It's not the end of the world and there are things we can do to help you out."
After the shooting, Olson called his wife, who is also a teacher. "How lucky that we had a happy ending and other schools didn't have that. We know this and we are grateful for it," said Shara Olson standing by her husband.
The district on Tuesday posted a picture on Twitter of the superintendent shaking Olson's hand in thanks
"We want to make sure you have all the support you need while you process this incident," Courtney Schrieve, the district's director of communications, read from a statement.
NTSD superintendent said during the news conference on Tuesday that police and all staff are also to thank in keeping the school safe.
#Hero teacher #BradyOlson just spoke publicly for the first time -- about taking down a gunman inside North Thurston High School. >> kiro.tv/ShooterStoppedPhotos"I reacted to a situation." #Share your thanks in the comments!
Posted by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News on Tuesday, April 28, 2015
When asked about being called a hero Olson answered, "I appreciate people and what they're saying about it. I did what I did and I don't think I'd hesitate to do it again."
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