An Indiana middle school science teacher is being hailed as a hero after students and parents say he intervened as a student opened fire in his classroom Friday morning.
Jason Seaman, a seventh-grade science teacher and football coach at Noblesville West Middle School, was shot several times after police say a boy in his class asked to be excused and returned with two handguns, shooting Seaman and a 13-year-old girl.
Multiple students and parents said Seaman stepped in to stop the shooter. It was not immediately clear how he did so.
In a written statement provided by Fox59, Seaman confirmed he was injured and thanking first responders.
"First of all, thank you to the first responders from Noblesville and Fishers for their immediate action and care," Seaman said. "I want to let everyone know that I was injured but am doing great. To all students, you are all wonderful and I thank you for your support. You are the reason I teach."
Seaman has two young children, a toddler son and a one-month-old daughter, his brother said. Seaman’s mother said in a public Facebook post that Seaman was shot in his abdomen, hip and forearm.
Jeremy Seaman said he wasn’t surprised his brother, a former defensive end for Southern Illinois University, put his own safety at risk on behalf of his students.
“It’s not surprising, to be honest,” he said of his brother’s intervention in the shooting. “He’s not really ever been the person to run away. When the safety of the kids is at hand, it’s not surprising to me that he was going to do what he had to do.”
A gofundme page has been set up to help Jason: https://www.gofundme.com/nobforjasonseaman
HERE IS A TIMELINE OF WHAT POLICE BELIEVE HAPPENED: