Rigby teacher disarmed 6th-grader shooter, hugged her until help arrived
The teacher said she knew the child had a mom somewhere who wasn t aware the girl was in crisis.
Credit: AP
Students embrace after a school shooting at Rigby Middle School in Rigby, Idaho on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (John Roark /The Idaho Post-Register via AP) Author: Associated Press Updated: 5:28 PM MDT May 19, 2021
When a student opened fire at an Idaho middle school, teacher Krista Gneiting directed children to safety, rushed to help a wounded victim and then calmly disarmed the sixth-grade shooter, hugging and consoling the girl until police arrived.
Parents credited the math teacher s display of compassion with saving lives. While two students and the school custodian were shot May 6, all three survived, and the gunfire was over within minutes. Gneiting s family says bravery and empathy are just part of who she is.
A common theme in my life is feeling a lack of confidence in my ability to handle challenging situations I believe I have never faced before. This time is different, I may think. The problem I am challenged with today is one I am not prepared to manage. I discount the years of trials I have … More Headlines
Teacher Disarms Sixth-Grade School Shooter, Hugs Her Until Police Arrive
On 5/20/21 at 7:35 AM EDT
A teacher in Idaho has spoken about how she managed to disarm a sixth-grade girl who had opened fire at her school and hugged her until the police arrived.
Krista Gneiting, who teaches math at Rigby Middle School, around 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, said she had heard gunfire down the hall from the classroom where she was preparing students for exams at around 9 a.m. on May 6.
Gneiting looked outside her classroom and saw the school janitor lying on the floor. After shutting the door, she told ABC News she had instructed her students: You re going to run hard, you re not going to look back and now is the time to get up and go.
Teacher disarmed Idaho school shooter, then hugged her
Educator urges compassion for sixth-grade girl accused of wounding 3 By Associated Press
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2 Photos A police officer walks out of Rigby Middle School in Rigby, Idaho, following a shooting there on May 6. (natalie behring/Associated Press) Photo Gallery
RIGBY, Idaho When a student opened fire at an Idaho middle school, teacher Krista Gneiting directed children to safety, rushed to help a wounded victim and then calmly disarmed the sixth-grade shooter, hugging and consoling the girl until police arrived.
Parents credited the math teacher’s display of compassion with saving lives. While two students and the school custodian were shot May 6, all three survived, and the gunfire was over within minutes. Gneiting’s family says bravery and empathy are just part of who she is.