Dr. David Benke |
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. - In a split second, Dr. David Benke went from being a beloved math teacher at Deer Creek Middle School, to a hero.
"I had always told my students since Columbine that if anything happened in a school, that I would hope that I would be able to do something," Benke told FOX31 News Tuesday evening, just hours after he bravely disarmed a gunman who had shot and wounded two students in front of the school. "And that's what I was thinking about."
Benke's quick action and bravery are credited with saving countless lives.
Authorities say 32-year-old Bruco Strongeagle Eastwood arrived at Deer Creek Middle School just as students were leaving for the day and opened fire with a high-powered hunting rifle. Two students were wounded before Benke tackled the gunman and helped subdue him until police arrived.
"I noticed that it was a bolt-action rifle and I knew that after he got a shot off, I would be able to grab him before he would be able to work the action again," Benke said.
Benke says he is glad he found the courage to help protect his beloved students.
"I love just working with kids. I love them. I love teaching at school."
Benke said shooting victim Matt Thieu was in his class last year and the two had a close relationship.
A page on facebook called "Dr. David Benke is a Hero" appeared shortly after the shooting. It had more than 10,000 members by 7 a.m. Wednesday.
One of the messages is from Reagan Weber, the girl who was shot. She wrote: "Dr. Benke thank you so much for all you have done today. I really appreciate all you did and your actions saved the lives of many kids including mine. I am doing well and am out of the hospital. Thanks again."
Another message of support came from Sue Petrone, whose son, Danny Rohrbough, was murdered at Columbine.
"I had always told my students since Columbine that if anything happened in a school, that I would hope that I would be able to do something," Benke told FOX31 News Tuesday evening, just hours after he bravely disarmed a gunman who had shot and wounded two students in front of the school. "And that's what I was thinking about."
Benke's quick action and bravery are credited with saving countless lives.
Authorities say 32-year-old Bruco Strongeagle Eastwood arrived at Deer Creek Middle School just as students were leaving for the day and opened fire with a high-powered hunting rifle. Two students were wounded before Benke tackled the gunman and helped subdue him until police arrived.
"I noticed that it was a bolt-action rifle and I knew that after he got a shot off, I would be able to grab him before he would be able to work the action again," Benke said.
Benke says he is glad he found the courage to help protect his beloved students.
"I love just working with kids. I love them. I love teaching at school."
Benke said shooting victim Matt Thieu was in his class last year and the two had a close relationship.
A page on facebook called "Dr. David Benke is a Hero" appeared shortly after the shooting. It had more than 10,000 members by 7 a.m. Wednesday.
One of the messages is from Reagan Weber, the girl who was shot. She wrote: "Dr. Benke thank you so much for all you have done today. I really appreciate all you did and your actions saved the lives of many kids including mine. I am doing well and am out of the hospital. Thanks again."
Another message of support came from Sue Petrone, whose son, Danny Rohrbough, was murdered at Columbine.
