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8th-grade student, 4 educators hailed as heroes for their role in protecting lives when Fuquay-Varina Middle School student fired gun in school

Tuesday night, the town mayor, police chief and community recognized five people for efforts like disarming a student, calling 911 and moving students to safety in the face of danger.
Posted 2022-12-21T02:53:31+00:00 - Updated 2022-12-21T04:32:14+00:00
Staff members, 8th-grader hailed as heroes after gun incident at middle school

Staff members and an 8th-grade student in Fuquay-Varina were hailed as heroes Tuesday by town leaders and the community for their efforts to save lives when a student fired a gunshot inside Fuquay-Varina Middle School earlier this month.

Thankfully there were no injuries, just a damaged window which has since been replaced.

Tuesday night, the town mayor, police chief and community recognized five people for efforts like disarming a student, calling 911 and moving students to safety in the face of danger.

8th-grade student Colton Kaplar was among those acknowledged for his actions.

"I didn’t know such a small act could make such a big impact," said Kaplar.

When the gunshot rang out in a classroom on December 8, Kaplar said the younger students didn’t know how to respond.

That’s when he stepped in to help.

"I’m just going to take them to a classroom and get them in there and shut the door," said Kaplar.

"Instincts take over," said 6th-grade math teacher Jeff Junio.

The instinct led math teacher Jeff Junio to grab children and physically toss them into safer locations; One terrified student sticks out to him from that day.

"She was disheveled, so I kind of picked her up and was like, 'You’re going in here,'" said Junio.

Mayor Blake Massengill had a special message for each recipient.

"I want to say thank you on behalf of the citizens of Fuquay-Varina for exemplifying true leadership," said Massengill.

Assistant principal Page Elliot and Sixth Grade teachers Samantha Colecchia and Lynn Guilliams were also honored Tuesday night.

Guilliams previously told WRAL News what it was like to take the gun from the student.

Teachers credit training for helping them know how to respond during this scary situation.

That 12-year-old student was taken into custody and has been served with a juvenile petition.

Seth Lanterman-Schneider, a 39-year-old from Willow Spring, was charged for failing to properly store the gun used in the shooting.

Credits