(Photo Credit: KATU)
Coach prevents possible school shooting
A newly released video from an Oregon prosecutor’s office shows an intense moment where high school football coach Keanon Lowe disarms and hugs a student wielding a shotgun at Parkrose High School in Portland.
The incident took place back on May 17, but the video wasn’t released until last Friday. The video was released after court proceedings in the case were completed.
Lowe, who works as a football and track coach at the school, triples as a security guard. In the video, Lowe is seen emerging from a classroom, shotgun in hand, with the student, Angel Granados-Diaz, now 19. As Lowe is hugging the student, he hands the shotgun to someone who quickly removes it from the scene.
In an interview, Lowe said, “In a fraction of a second, I analyzed everything really fast. I saw the look on his face, look in his eyes, looked at the gun, realized it was a real gun and then my instincts just took over,” according to USA Today.
Diaz brought the loaded shotgun to school during what authorities described as a mental health crisis. He is receiving treatment for substance abuse and health issues after being sentenced to three years of probation.
The student pleaded guilty for one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in a public building and one count of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public.
By: Maytinee Kramer
