Coach's incredible response to student with gun caught on CCTV
Authorities have released the incredible footage of a high school football coach disarming and embracing a student who brought a shotgun to school.
The video shows Keanon Lowe, a football and track and field coach at Parkrose High school in Portland, Oregon, emerging from a classroom and into the hallway with a shotgun and a hand on the student’s shoulder.
Mr Lowe then passes off the gun to another person who runs down the hallway, then Mr Lowe embraces the student, Angel Granados-Diaz.
Mr Lowe continues to hug the student, who also embraces the coach.
According to a tweet posted after the May 17 incident, not only is Mr Lowe the football and track and field coach, but also a security guard for the school.
In the tweet, Mr Lowe said he took the job to “guide and coach young people whose shoes I had once been in”.
“I had no idea, that I would one day have to put my life on the line like I did yesterday for my students,” Mr Lowe said on May 18.
When I signed up to be a Security Guard, Football and Track & Field Coach for Parkrose High School, I did so to guide and coach young people whose shoes I had once been in. I had no idea, that I would one day have to put my life on the line like I did yesterday for my students.
— Keanon Lowe (@KeanonLowe) May 18, 2019
“When confronted with the test the universe presented me with, I didn't see any other choice but to act.
“I've spent the last 24 hours being more appreciative of my family and realising we have a serious problem.”
Mr Lowe told KOIN News his instincts kicked in after he analysed the situation and lunged at the student.
The coach also said he was “blessed” to be alive and he was “extremely happy” the students were safe. He then went on to say he would like to be a part of the solution to school gun violence.
Mr Lowe’s actions resulted in the mayor of Portland and the chief of Portland Police honouring him with the Civilian Medal of Heroism.
“Without hesitation and complete disregard for his own safety, security officer Lowe grabbed a loaded shotgun and wrestled it away from the student, allowing the teacher and the rest of the class to escape,” it was said at the presentation in front of the whole school.
What a proud day for Parkrose High School @tedwheeler @ChiefDOutlaw presented @KeanonLowe with the Civilian Medal of Heroism. 💚🖤💚#parkroseproud #parkrosestrong pic.twitter.com/5GFlLO9mKg
— Molly Ouche (@moucheparkrose) May 29, 2019
Mr Lowe said after he disarmed Mr Granados-Diaz, he had a conversation with him until police arrived.
“I felt compassion for the kid, to be honest,” Mr Lowe said.
“I had a real-life conversation. Obviously, he broke down and I just wanted to let him know that I was there for him. I told him I was there to save him — I was there for a reason and that this is a life worth living.”
The suspect, 19-year-old Angel Mr Granados-Diaz, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in a public building and was sentenced to three years probation.
Court documents seen by KMOV4 state what happened at the school was a suicide attempt and Granados-Diaz never intentionally pointed the shotgun at anyone.
Mr Grandos-Diaz will get mental health treatment, as part of his sentence.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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