Tacloban shooting: Slain student who shielded peers hailed a hero

TACLOBAN CITY — A 15-year-old student is being hailed as a hero after sacrificing his life while trying to stop an armed suspect from entering their classroom during the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School on Monday.

Chris Lorenz Fabian was among the three students killed in the attack that also injured 20 others when two minors allegedly opened fire inside the campus. Authorities said the suspects used a caliber .38 revolver and a Glock 17 pistol.

READ: School shooting kills 3 students in Tacloban

Classmates said Fabian stood near the classroom door and tried to block one of the gunmen from entering after shots were fired through a window.

“For us, he was a hero. He sacrificed his own life just to save us,” said a 15-year-old survivor.

According to witnesses, Fabian was shot in the back while attempting to shield his classmates. Another 15-year-old female student was also killed, while several others were wounded.

READ: Number of wounded due to Tacloban school shooting now at 20

Fabian’s grandfather, Rodrigo, described him as a well-behaved and courageous young man.

“He was a good boy. Perhaps being a Boy Scout influenced him to do that,” he said.

Family members said Fabian had recently transferred to the school and dreamed of becoming a police officer.

The two suspects, both minors enrolled at the school, were turned over to the custody of the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office. They reportedly told investigators they were motivated by bullying, although Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said authorities have yet to establish a definitive motive.

The June 22 attack, considered among the deadliest school shootings in the country, claimed three lives and left 20 others injured, including 15 who sustained gunshot wounds./coa