As much as we despair over those who would be senseless killers, we must also take a look at those who risked or lost their lives trying to stop a school shooting. My highest possible respects go to this man. A hero for the kids. Thank you Ryan and Kim!

(CNN) — The teacher stood in the classroom, face-to-face with his 16-year-old student, who was holding a shotgun.

Ryan Heber, 40, talked to the teen, trying to persuade him to end an armed assault in which one student had already been shot.

Heber had no idea whether the student — whose pockets were filled with ammunition — would put the gun down or pull the trigger.

Campus supervisor Kim Fields helped distract the teen, allowing other students in the classroom to escape, while Heber talked to him, according to CNN affiliate KGET.

More: Teacher Talks Armed Student Into Giving Up, Police Say