Indiana teacher lauded as hero after shooting

Man shot three times, but disarmed gunman

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The Indiana science teacher and former college football player who tackled an armed student inside his classroom is being praised for quickly stopping the shooting despite being shot several times.

One of Jason Seaman’s students at Noblesville West Middle School said another student entered the classroom with a gun and started shooting Friday morning. The 29-year-old teacher “immediately ran at him, swatted a gun out of his hand and tackled him to the ground,” seventh-grader Ethan Stonebraker said.

Seaman was shot three times but was in good condition at an Indianapolis hospital following the shooting in nearby Noblesville, according to police. The only other person shot, student Ella Whistler, was in critical but stable condition, according to her family said. Her family released a statement saying they were still trying to process “what happened and why.”

President Donald Trump sent a tweet Saturday thanking Seaman “for his heroic act in saving so many precious young lives. His quick and automatic action is being talked about all over the world!”

Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor of Indiana, also credited the teacher’s “courageous action” for saving lives during the shooting at the suburban Indianapolis school.

“We’re all proud of you Jason and are praying for you and those impacted and recovering from injuries,” Pence said in his own tweet.

Janna Lynas of Noblesville, whose son was coached by Seaman in football, said the teacher is a hero “and everyone here feels it.”

“I believe it was probably very instinctual with him. There was potential for a lot of lives being lost,” Lynas said Saturday.

Authorities didn’t release the gunman’s name or say whether he had been in trouble before but indicated he likely acted alone. Police said the student didn’t appear to be injured.

PARKLAND, Fla. — Survivors of the Parkland school shooting lay down in “die-ins” at two Publix supermarkets Friday to protest the chain’s support for a gubernatorial candidate aligned with the National Rifle Association, as the company announced a suspension of political contributions.

The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shouted “USA, not NRA!” and caused brief delays at the checkout as customers navigated carts around them on the floor. Pro-NRA counterprotesters also showed up at one store, and two men almost came to blows before police intervened.

“A lot of people don’t support who Publix is supporting,” said Haylee Shepherd, a 15-year-old sophomore at Stoneman Douglas, who joined 13 fellow protesters on the floor for about 10 minutes at one of the stores. “It’s going to reflect on them as a brand and people shopping there.”

Publix has been criticized by the students for supporting Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, a Republican who has called himself a “proud NRA sellout.” The activists have called for a boycott of the supermarket.

Publix announced earlier this week that it would “re-evaluate” its donations amid the outcry. In another statement Friday, company spokeswoman Maria Brous said the chain would halt its contributions for now as it continues that re-evaluation.

Senior David Hogg, one of the most vocal student activists for gun reform and one of the founders of March for Our Lives, helped organize the protest.

At one point, a counterprotester, Bill Caracofe, stuck his middle finger an inch from Hogg’s face outside the grocery store just a few miles from the school where 17 of Hogg’s classmates and teachers were gunned down.

“There are millions and millions of people who don’t worship everything that comes out of his mouth,” Caracofe said.