Ohio Shooting Hero Frank Hall Quotes Matthew 5:14, Says 'I'm Not a Hero'
Assistant football coach Frank Hall, deemed the hero of the recent student shooting at Chadron High School in Chadron, Ohio, quoted the Bible passage Matthew 5:14 Thursday afternoon at a press conference.
Hall spoke briefly after officials announced the charges of 17-year-old T.J. Lane, who allegedly shot and killed three fellow students and injured two others, after bringing a gun to Chardon High School Monday morning.
Lane entered the school's cafeteria at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday and allegedly fired 10 times with a .22 caliber pistol at a table of students. He also admitted to bringing a knife to the school the morning of the shooting, according to authorities.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While everyone ducked for cover after the shots rang out, assistant football coach Hall chased Lane from the cafeteria. Lane surrendered to policemen at approximately 8:37 a.m. while running to his car, which was parked about a half-mile from the school.
Although Hall has been deemed a hero, in his speech on Thursday he remained humble, saying the emergency responders at the scene were the real heroes, according to Cleveland.com.
Hall began by expressing his condolences to the family members of the deceased, saying, "To the families of the victims, I want to say that I'm sorry."
He went on to say that he wished he could have done more.
"I'm not a hero. I'm just a football coach and a study hall teacher," he told reporters.
Hall completed his press conference speech by quoting Matthew 5:14, saying:
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Before Hall's speech, police officials announced Lane's charges. Lane is being charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault, according to The Associated Press.
Lane is accused of killing Demetrius Hewlin, 16, Russell King Jr., 17, and Daniel Parmertor, 16.
Lane was not a student at Chardon High School, but rather attended the nearby Lake Academy Alternative School, meant for students who do not fare well in a traditional education environment.
County records from Geauga, Ohio indicate that Lane comes from an abusive, dysfunctional home.
Prosecutor David Joyce has reportedly described the 17-year-old suspect as someone "who's not well."
Chardon High School, which closed hours after the shootings, is to re-open Friday.
