Tales Of Heroism Emerging From Franklin Regional High School Chaos
MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) -- Within the tragedy at Franklin Regional High School Wednesday morning, stories of bravery and heroism have emerged, including one of student who helped tackle the suspect and another who threw himself in front of the suspect.
High school senior Ian Griffith has always considered Franklin Regional High School a safe, special place. He still does.
KDKA's Marty Griffin Reports:
"It's been a safe school. There's never been any incidents, even with knives as far as that's concerned. I don't think there's any reason why we should be afraid and have metal detectors," said Griffith. "I don't think the school did anything wrong in this situation."
Griffith was thrust into the middle of a life and death struggle at school Wednesday as Vice Principal Sam King struggled to subdue the suspect.
"I was in the school and I came downstairs, and I saw the kid and Mr. King was yelling at him, and I didn't know why," said Griffith. "I turned around and saw him stab Sarge, the police officer, and afterward he went down, and Mr. King took off to take the kid down. I was right behind him and we both jumped over and immobilized him.
"Mr. King immobilized him, he pinned him down. I jumped on top of him as well and held down his wrists and arms, and tried to keep the knives stationary," Griffith said.
KDKA's Marty Griffin Reports:
Griffith's concern now is for the other students.
"I'm disturbed, mainly sorry for the victims and praying for them," he said.
Meanwhile, Nate Scimio has been posting on social media about the day's events.
In one photo on Instagram, Scimio poses in his hospital gown pointing to a stab wound he suffered while allegedly trying to put an end to a bad situation.
One of his fellow students is accused of stabbing nearly two dozen kids and one adult.
"I was in a completely different hallway when it happened," said Charleigh Wagner, Scimio's friend. "I just heard the fire alarm and walked outside.
Before it would end, as many as 20 people would be transported to five area hospitals, including 17-year-old Scimio who is being called a hero.
One of his young neighbors, a ninth grader in the school district, said she's not surprised.
"He's like a really nice guy, so I wouldn't be surprised that he was trying to help people," Wagner said.
KDKA's Brenda Waters Reports:
Wagner, 14, lives a few doors from Scimio in Murrysville, and says though it may appear he is making light of the situation, he really is not.
"He's a funny guy, so I wasn't really surprised that he would do something like that to make a joke out of it, but he wasn't trying to make it like it wasn't a serious thing," added Wagner.
RELATED LINKS:
24 Injured In Stabbing At Franklin Regional High School (4/9/14)
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