'Hero' teacher stepped in to confront gunman at Marysville-Pilchuck

MARYSVILLE -- The bold actions of a young teacher may have gone a long way in stopping further bloodshed Friday at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

A first-year teacher, identified as Megan Silberberger, heard shots being fired from her office next to the cafeteria around 10:30 a.m. Friday, the Marysville Education Association President Randy Davis said. Acting quick, the teacher ran into the cafeteria and saw students on the ground and Freshman Jaylen Fryberg standing with a gun.

Silberberger then "confronted" Fryberg, Davis said, running toward the shooter to help secure him until security arrived shortly thereafter.

"The teacher did everything possible to protect the students," Davis said.

Silberberger may have stepped in when Fryberg was reloading his handgun, believed to be a Beretta .40-caliber, as his hands were trembling and he was having trouble with the weapon, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Police have not yet said how many shots in total were fired, but there was at least one bullet left in the cartridge before the confrontation with Silberberger -- as Fryberg took his own life.

The newly-hired social studies teacher is being described as a hero by the teacher's union, as well as students who were at the school.

Silberberger declined interview requests and Davis said she wants her privacy.

She is helping with the investigation into the shooting.

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