A heroic high school senior who wants to join the Marines helped tackle one of the shooters who left one classmate dead and eight others wounded at a Denver-area school, according to a report.
Brendan Bialy and other fellow students managed to disarm one of the two gunmen who opened fire at the STEM School Highlands Ranch, which sits just seven miles from Columbine High School in Littleton.
“We are deeply saddened for the victims, families, friends, and community on this tragic day,” the Bialy family told NBC News in an emailed statement issued by lawyer Mark L. Bryant.
“We’d like to commend the immediate response of law enforcement and assure all we are strong with the love of our families, community, friends, and every one sending concern, wishes, and strength. We will persevere.”
Bialy’s dad, Brad, said his son wants to become a Marine after graduating from the public charter school. The acronym in its name stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
The father said Brendan told him he was in class when gunfire erupted after two students entered the classroom and one pulled a gun out of a guitar case, according to the New York Times.
He said that as his son and two pals tried to tackle a gunman, one of the boys was shot in the chest. Other classmates tried to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on his chest, Brad Bialy said.
Two suspects, including 18-year-old Devon Erickson, are in police custody. The other one, a juvenile male, has not yet been identified.