Volunteer firefighter hailed as hero after taking down elementary school shooter

TOWNVILLE, S.C. — A volunteer firefighter is being called a hero after he subdued an armed teenager who allegedly shot two students and a teacher at a South Carolina elementary school after investigators said he killed his father Wednesday afternoon.

The gunman, who has not been identified, was confronted by volunteer firefighter Jamie Brock after he rushed to Townville Elementary School following reports of a shooting.

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Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said Brock's intervention was pivotal to stopping the shooter.

"For that person to be willing to confront him, as far as why (the gunman) didn't get off more shots, I can only say at this point it's because he was confronted," he said Wednesday at a news conference. "He just took him down."

Townville volunteer fire Chief Billy McAdams said on Wednesday that he and Brock headed to the scene together after learning of the shooting around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. They searched a black pickup truck after finding it crashed in the school's playground area, but found no threats.

The pair split up after they found teachers and staff calling for police at the back of the school with two injured 6-year-old students and an injured teacher. McAdams, who is a paramedic, stayed to help tend to the injured while Brock left to search the school's perimeter.

Brock found the shooter outside the school, McAdams said.

"Feeling it was for the safety of everyone on site, he immediately confronted and subdued that shooter," he said. "He was able to keep him on the ground until law enforcement could place him into custody."

Scott Stoller, director of emergency management services and special operations in Anderson County, said on Wednesday that Brock wants to remain "humble and kind of quiet" about his role in stopping the attack.

"With that said, I don't think there's anyone amongst us that doesn't believe that firefighter Brock is absolutely a hero to us and the firefighter community," he said.

Brock reiterated that mindset himself in a statement released through McAdams.

"My reaction to yesterday's event was no different than any other fire or law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to protect their communities every day," Brock said. "The true heroes of yesterday's senseless tragedy are the teachers that put their lives on the line to protect their students; the principal who -- through fears of her own, she did what was right to ensure the safety of her school. They deserve to be called the heroes, and I tip my hat to them."

He asked that the public pray for the victims of Wednesday's shooting, including 6-year-old Jacob Hall, who was last listed in critical condition.

In the aftermath of Wednesday's shooting, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) took to Twitter to thank Brock.

"We truly admire and appreciate your service," he wrote.

Cox Media Group