WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Josh Hann got the call that no parent ever wants to receive.
Hann said that he received calls that suggested there could be an armed shooter at Sugar Creek Consolidated Elementary School on Tuesday. His first thought was the safety of his daughter, Carlee, who attends the school.
“That was the three or four most scary minutes of my life,” Hann explained. “Thinking somebody could be taking my little girls life and not knowing what’s going on.”
Hann immediately rushed over to the school and was met with a swarm of police vehicles and other concerned parents. Inside of it all was a school full of kids including his daughter.
He said that he quickly learned that the situation was under control and heard that the suspect in question had already been taken into custody. Hann was able to then reunite with his daughter.
“I’ve always told my kids that if something like this happens, dad is a phone call away,” Hann explained. “I will be there and I will drop everything I have going on to be there.”
Hann thanked the work of law enforcement and school officials for how well the situation was handled. Once at home, his daughter shared the experience she had on the inside. She explained that after piling desks and chairs against the door to protect the class, her teacher continued to give reassuring messages to the class during this very uncertain time.
Hann got emotional when explaining just how appreciative he was for bravery and compassion shown by the teacher in the room.
“That shows that not all heroes wear capes,” Hann said. “Some heroes teach math, spelling and reading and to me that’s a hero.”
The investigation will continue into the 11-year-old that was found with a firearm near the school.
The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the student asked to go to the restroom but never returned. He was ultimately found with a rifle outside, west of the school. Officials said that he did point the gun at officers before they were able to detain him.
VCSO Chief of Operations Derek Fell assured that this will be a thorough investigation.
“We’ll be talking to teachers and looking at video around the school,” Fell said. “It’ll be a very thorough investigation which is obviously going to take some time.”
