March
7, 2001. It happened just two days after a teenager opened fire at a
school in Santee, California, killing two people and injuring 13. But
this incident in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, high school did not end
tragically—thanks in large measure to the selfless actions of a
brave young man.
Brent
Paucke, 14, is that young man. He was already in the crowded cafeteria
when a female student suddenly held out a gun and starting screaming
for everyone to get down. The girl fired toward the ceiling, then fired
into the ground. The bullet ricocheted and hit another girl in the shoulder.
Everyone went to the floor, including Brent, who ducked under a table.
He heard the shooter say, "I don't want to live. I should just
commit suicide right here." He recognized her from the bus, and
then he knew he had to do something to stop this. Thinking more for
the other students' safety than for his own, Brent stood up and walked
toward her. Everything was silent. The school principal entered the
cafeteria and told Brent to get back, but Brent kept walking. He saw
the girl's anger and knew she was about to start shooting again. Wanting
to avoid anyone else getting shot, he approached the girl and said,
"You don't have to do this. It doesn't have to be like this. It
can be better. Just put the gun down and give it to me." Eventually
he convinced her to drop her weapon. It fell to the floor, and Brent
kicked it away from her.
To stand in defense of others' lives, as Brent Paucke did, takes courage
and firm commitment to moral priorities. To risk one's life for the
sake of others is the highest demonstration of love. In our youth today,
this brand of high character and self-sacrifice are uncommon qualities.
Concern for the well-being of others seems to be fading right along
with a basic reverence for life, which is partly to blame for today's
fearful school environment. Youth should see Brent Paucke's example
as a better way to be. School violence will diminish when kids themselves
take action against it. Perhaps it will disappear completely when every
parent takes Brent's parents' example of how to raise kids. The Paucke's,
through years of instruction and loving support of their son, started
a ripple effect which benefitted every student in that cafeteria that
day. What a fine and heroic legacy they have created in their son.
Brent
Paucke, 14, is that young man. He was already in the crowded cafeteria
when a female student suddenly held out a gun and starting screaming
for everyone to get down. The girl fired toward the ceiling, then fired
into the ground. The bullet ricocheted and hit another girl in the shoulder.
Everyone went to the floor, including Brent, who ducked under a table.
He heard the shooter say, "I don't want to live. I should just
commit suicide right here." He recognized her from the bus, and
then he knew he had to do something to stop this. Thinking more for
the other students' safety than for his own, Brent stood up and walked
toward her. Everything was silent. The school principal entered the
cafeteria and told Brent to get back, but Brent kept walking. He saw
the girl's anger and knew she was about to start shooting again. Wanting
to avoid anyone else getting shot, he approached the girl and said,
"You don't have to do this. It doesn't have to be like this. It
can be better. Just put the gun down and give it to me." Eventually
he convinced her to drop her weapon. It fell to the floor, and Brent
kicked it away from her.