The real shooter, the one we’d already zip-tied, was still on the floor where we’d left him. While cops pointed guns at heroes, the actual threat was already neutralized.
Paramedics finally entered. Spider died on that classroom floor, his hand still on Mrs. Patterson’s wound, saving her life with his last breath. He’d survived three tours in Vietnam to die protecting children in a place that should have been safe.
The aftermath was a media nightmare. Initial reports said “Multiple shooters including biker gang terrorize school.” It took twelve hours for the truth to emerge—that we’d stopped the shooting in under three minutes while police waited outside for backup that didn’t arrive for another fifteen.
Mrs. Patterson, from her hospital bed, went on every news channel that would have her.
“Those bikers saved my life. Saved my students’ lives. Spider died holding my wound closed while police shot him in the back. He never let go. Even dying, he never let go.”
The security footage was damning. It showed us entering unarmed, evacuating children, taking down the shooter with non-lethal force, and then being shot by police while actively helping victims.
Officer Mitchell, who’d shot Spider, came to his funeral. Had to be held back by three of our brothers when he tried to apologize to Spider’s widow, Martha.Continue reading…