The Veteran "Hero," Shot at Least 5 Times, as He Stood between Oregon Shooter and His Fellow Classmates

Aimee Herd : Oct 2, 2015
USA Today

"There was no way he was going to stand around and watch something this horrific happen." –Derek Bourgeois, Mintz' cousin.

(Oregon)—Out of the tragic events in Oregon, yesterday, is emerging a story of heroism by one of the Umpqua Community College students. (Photo: Chris Mintz/via Facebook)

Thirty-year-old Chris Mintz, an Army Veteran was reportedly shot seven times when he tried to intervene on behalf of his classmates, attempting to stop the rampage of shooter who was 26.

Family members described Mintz' actions when he heard gunshots in the classroom next to his. Ariana Earnhardt, Mintz' cousin, told WFMY TV that he "told the people in his classroom just be calm. He met the shooter at the door and said to calm down. He tried to talk to him and talk him out of it."

Mintz' aunt added that when he tried to keep the shooter from entering his classroom, he shot Mintz three times.

"[He] hit the floor, looks up at gunman, and says, 'It's my son's birthday today.' [And he] gets shot two more times," Mintz' Aunt Wanda told KCPQ.

Both of his legs were also broken in the shooting. Amazingly, none of his vital organs were hit, a Daily Mail report said, and he is expected to recover following surgery he underwent on Thursday.

According to reports, Chris Mintz moved to Oregon from North Carolina, in order to be closer to his son.