With the end of the 2019 legislative session nearing, legislators took time to recognize and honor the first responders of the May 25, 2018, Noblesville West Middle School shooting.
On March 26, State Sen. Victoria Spartz (R-Noblesville) presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 43 in the Senate chamber, honoring teacher Jason Seaman, first responders, public safety officers and others for their work on the day of the shooting. Seaman is credited for stopping the shooting quickly by tackling the shooter and disarming him.
Then-student David Moore opened fire in Seaman’s seventh-grade science classroom at NWMS, shooting student Ella Whistler seven times and Seaman three times in the hip, abdomen and forearm.
Pars of SCR 43 read, “Although one student was critically injured in the shooting, Seaman’s brave and swift actions undoubtedly saved countless lives and prevented further injury to others. Because of the advances safety planning by (NWMS), including Supt. Beth Niedermeyer, Principal Stacey Swan and School Resource Officer Michael Steffen, in coordination with the Noblesville Police Dept. and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Dept., the response by the school’s staff and students was executed to perfection.”
Spartz more specifically named – in addition to Seaman, Niedermeyer, Swan and Steffen – Indiana State Police Supt. Doug Carter, former Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen, Noblesville Police Dept. Chief Kevin Jowitt and the staff at Riverview Health and NWMS nurse Megan Schlueter.
“The bravery and courage shown by Mr. Seaman and so many other people on that terrifying day is truly inspirational,” Spartz said. “I am proud of you, your community is proud of you, and your state is proud of you. Thank you for all you did to protect and serve our NWMS students and staff.”
