A student at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington opened fire on classmates in the high school’s cafeteria, killing one 15-year-old student and critically injuring four others.
Suspected shooter Jaylen Fryberg, 15, reportedly then turned the gun on himself.
According to witnesses, a young teacher named Megan Silberger stepped in to prevent further loss of life.
Student Erick Cervantes said following the attack: "I believe [Megan] is actually the real hero. She's the one that intercepted him with the gun.
"He tried either reloading or tried aiming at her. She tried moving his hand away and he tried shooting and shot himself in the neck.
"It started off with an argument, but then I looked back and there was just gunshots and just people falling down.
"She heard the gunshots first and she came in running through the door, right next to it.
"It wasn't [a] wrestle. She just grabbed his arm, and it lasted like two seconds, and I heard another shot.”
Student Jordan Luton spoke about the horrific and dramatic scenes he witnessed.
He said: "He came up from behind and had a gun in his hand and he fired about eight bullets into backs of them. They were his friends so it wasn't just random.
"Then he turned and looked at me and my girlfriend ... and kind of gave us a smirk and turned around and then shot more bullets outside."
Police have yet to confirm that the shooter is student Jaylen Fryberg, but a source reveals that they suspect he may have committed the crimes after being rejected by a girl.
They told local news: "I heard he asked her out and she rebuffed him and was with his cousin. It was a fight over a girl."
A candlelit vigil was held near the high school last night as police attempt to understand what may have driven a ‘popular’ teenage boy- recently crowned Homecoming Prince- to commit the atrocity.