SUBJECT OF LAST COVER STORY – IS A LOCAL HERO

SUBJECT OF LAST COVER STORY – IS A LOCAL HERO

On October 8th a gunman opened fire on children playing at Kelly Elementary School in Carlsbad. The 41 year-old gunman Brandon O’Rourke was wielding a .357 Revolver and a 2.5 gallon tank of gasoline and matches. “The suspect parked his car around noon, jumped a fence and opened fire as he walked across the campus” said Carlsbad police.

Alerted by the sound of gunfire three construction workers working at the campus – Steven Kane, Mario Contreras and Carlos Partida, all of Chula Vista, as well as Carlsbad resident Scott Chandler, all reacted immediately to disarm and subdue the shooter.

“Kids were scattering everywhere..”
Chandler said. “The guy just kept shooting.”

Carlos Partida actually jumped into his truck and struck the suspect, knocking him down, as the other men chased him over a fence and tackled him. They disarmed the man and secured the weapon. Scott then located the two girls, (one 6 year old and one 7 year old) both were grazed by the bullets but had luckily survived the shooting. One girl had broken her arm while fleeing from the shooter. Scott stayed with the girls tending to their injuries and working to calm them. He also helped family members stay informed after the violence ended via cell phone on NBC News live from the campus office.

“The gunman couldn’t load the other clip. Something got in the way.” said Chandler. “If he had loaded that other clip who knows how many fatalities there could have been. He was yelling anti Obama stuff …he was just crazy!”

Scott, a father himself, and a very humble hero, wants to make sure the construction workers receive praise as well. “Two of the construction workers “actually ran into the line of fire to stop the gunman”  he said. “They held O’Rourke down until officers arrived on the scene.”

Chandler was featured on the cover and inside the last issue of Revolt In Style. He was recognized as an outstanding local waterman, shaper & now we can add ‘Hero’ to his resume. We just wanted to recognize Scott Chandler and the 3 construction workers for their heroic efforts in stopping a potentially deadly situation at Kelly Elementary School. Good work guys. We’re proud to know you.