Associated Press
MARINETTE, Wis. — A teacher hailed as a hero is expressing condolences to the family of a student who took over her class at gunpoint for several hours before taking his own life.
Marinette High School social studies teacher Valerie Burd says in a statement that 15-year-old Sam Hengel was an excellent student with many friends.
Hengel brought two guns into Burd’s class Monday afternoon and held her and about two dozen students hostage. Hengel shot himself as a SWAT team finally stormed the room. He died Tuesday morning. Burd and all her students emerged unhurt.
She says she tried to keep Hengel and other students calm. She says authorities and district officials handled the situation appropriately.
Classes resumed Wednesday, but school officials say Burd wasn’t working.