The Lacey Police Department acknowledged that the heroic and timely intervention of a male teacher spared the North Thurston High School from a bloodbath like what happened to Columbine High a few years ago.

NBC reports that a 16-year-old student of North Thurston High School came to the campus with a handgun. He first fired at the gym floor and then ran downstairs to the cafeteria where he fired at the ceiling on Monday morning.

Like Us on Facebook

However, after firing the two shots, teacher Brady Olson tackled the student and took him down. By the time the police was informed of the situation at 7:25 a.m., the problem has been solved.

Chris Ward, police commander of Lacey, said that Olson's rising to the occasion prevented worse things from happening. Olson said in a statement posted at the school's website that he and five other school staff ran toward where the sound of the gun fire came instead of away.

"No one, including myself, can prepare for a situation like this, so I'm very thankful that we're all okay," he said. "As always, students come first, and today was no different."

There were no reported injuries despite the gun-firing incident.

The student-gunman is now in the custody of police and is being questioned.

The school cancelled classes and after-school activities for the rest of Monday. Even though the student has been subdued, parents were asked to pick up their children at North Thurston High School football stadium, reports Huffington Post. 

Tagsteacher, North Thurston High School, student shooter, gun law