Several students at a Colorado high school attacked by two gunmen on Tuesday tackled one of the shooters, disarming them before police arrived, according to survivors.
The family of Brendan Bialy, a senior at the school, told NBC News that Bialy and other classmates tackled one of the two suspects during Tuesday’s shooting, preventing the gunman from continuing the rampage that ended with one person dead and others injured.
{mosads}”We are deeply saddened for the victims, families, friends, and community on this tragic day,” Bialy’s family told NBC.
“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 everyone sending concern, wishes, and strength. We will persevere,” the family continued.
It wasn’t initially clear if Bialy was one of the several students injured during the shooting. One student, identified as 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo, was confirmed to have died from wounds sustained during the attack.
One of Bialy’s classmates told NBC’s “Today” on Wednesday that his efforts to stop the shooting had saved others.
He gave “all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe, and to run across the room to escape,” the classmate said.
Bialy reportedly plans to join the Marine Corps after college.
A White House spokesperson thanked law enforcement for their quick response time after the shooting occurred Tuesday.
“Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence. The White House has been in communication with state and local officials, and the President has been briefed and continues to monitor the ongoing situation. We offer our full support to local law enforcement and first responders and thank them for their heroism,” spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.