Army Veteran Stood Up to Oregon Shooter
Reports say Chris Mintz attempted to stop Thursday's shooting, and survived.
Police search students outside Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., on Thursday following a deadly shooting at school.
In the wake of Thursday's massacre at an Oregon community college, there has been plenty of speculation, per usual, about the gunman's motives and mental state – along with plenty of renewed discussion about guns and gun control in America.
But a story also has emerged about a victim who heroically stood up to the
shooter.
Army veteran Chris Mintz had just started his first week of
classes at Umpqua Community College. The 30-year-old, originally from Randleman,
North Carolina, served around a decade in the military before beginning to attend the school in Roseburg, Oregon, according to Fox 8 News in North Carolina.
Mintz reportedly tried to block a door to keep gunman Chris Harper Mercer from being able to shoot students and professors in Snyder Hall, according to Oregon's Q13 Fox.
Once the gunman gained entry, he reportedly shot Mintz – whose son's birthday appeared to be on Thursday as well – multiple times before continuing his spree, according to Q13 Fox's report and Business Insider. Though Mintz was hospitalized, he is expected to survive, Business Insider said. That would keep the event’s fatality total at 10, including the shooter. Seven others were injured.
"He could have very easily died," said Mintz's aunt, Wanda Mintz. "I really think that if he wasn't such a strong, young guy, he may have died."
Mintz's friend appeared to use the victim's Facebook account to leave a message regarding the event on Mintz's behalf, according to NBC News.
“This is Chris’s friend,” the status said. “Chris asked me to thank everyone for their support, he is grateful and keeping our community and all victims in his thoughts.”
For many, the actions Mintz engaged in would be considered too dangerous. But according to another of his aunts, Sheila Brown, his attempt at heroism was perfectly in line with his personality.
“He was on the wrestling team and he’s done cage-fighting,”
she said. “so it does not surprise me that he would act heroically.”
