Oregon Football Coach Hailed as a Hero After Allegedly Tackling Armed Student

A student carrying a shotgun in a Portland high school was tackled and subdued by the football coach, Keanon Lowe.

A tragedy was averted at an Oregon high school when the football coach literally tackled a student carrying a shotgun.

The incident which occurred on May 17, 2019, at Parkrose High School, in Portland, left staff and students shaken, and parents in terror.

“The officers and school staff worked together to respond quickly and ensure the safety of all involved. I commend the school staff member who displayed quick actions and bravery when he confronted the subject.” Police Chief Danielle Outlaw

UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT WITH SHOTGUN

According to reports by the staff and students, the unidentified student walked into a classroom wearing a black trench coat and carrying a shotgun.

Coach Keanon Lowe, who was a college football star, was in the building looking for one of his students and became aware of the perilous situation.

There have been 105 school shooting in the US in the first 4 months of 2019, with 387 wounded and 120 fatalities.

COACH TACKLES ARMED STUDENT

Lowe, who is Parkrose’s head track and field coach, also works as a security guard at the school and took immediate action.

He tackled the unidentified student to the ground, disarmed him, and contained him until the police arrived.

“I’m just happy everyone was OK. I’m happy I was able to be there for the kids and for the community.” Lowe said.

UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT WAS REPORTEDLY SUICIDAL

According to his colleagues, the unidentified student, an 18-year-old senior was a recent transfer. Senior Ashton Caudle, 18, said that he had planned on talking to a school counselor about their classmate at lunchtime since he had revealed that he planned to kill himself.

STUDENTS EVACUATED, COACH PRAISED

The police swiftly evacuated the students from the school to a nearby Kmart until the status of the threat could be ascertained.

Coach Lowe's swift action was praised as having possibly averted a tragic outcome.

Superintendent Michael Lopes Serrao informed that families of the students that the unidentified student with the gun would not be returning to the school.

He announced that counseling and support would be available to the staff and students throughout the week.

There have been 105 school shooting in the US in the first 4 months of 2019, with 387 wounded and 120 fatalities.

SHERIFF BELIEVES ARMING TEACHERS IS THE SOLUTION

The head of a State Commission investigating the February 14, 2018 school shooting in Florida believes teachers should carry guns.

The massacre at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, left 17 students and staff members dead and injured 17 others.

A State Commission was formed to investigate the massacre, and Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the leader of the commission revealed that he believes school shootings can be prevented, or their mortality rate minimized.

Keanon Lowes' prompt action may give credence to Sheriff Gualtieri's theory of staff's involvement in school security, although the coach was not armed.