Current Events –
Chris Mintz Is Oregon Shooting Hero

Chris Mintz is a father, a family man and a former member of the United States Army. However, after blocking the Oregon school gunman from shooting others while being shot at multiple times in the process, Chris Mintz is also being called a hero.

Current Events
When Chris Mintz heard gunfire at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College on Thursday, his thoughts were not of himself. Instead, his first thought was of protecting others — then of his severely autistic son, Tyrik, whose 6th birthday was that day.

Mintz, a 30-year-old military veteran and former high school football player knew he couldn’t just sit back and allow a crazed gunman to shoot and kill him and others. So, instead of being passive and waiting to die, Chris Mintz tapped into his military training and sprung into action.

After hearing gun shots and realizing the gunman was coming for his classroom, Chris Mintz tried to “block the door to keep the gunman from coming in,” his aunt, Wanda Mintz, told reporters. As Mintz used his body to hold the door shut, the gunman shot at him through the door, hitting him 3 times. Mintz fell to the floor as the gunman successfully entered the classroom. “He then looked up at the gunman and said, ‘It’s my son’s birthday today,’ ” his aunt said. Showing no mercy, the gunman shot Mintz several times again, before proceeding to shoot others.

In all, 9 people were killed and 9 others were injured. Miraculously, Chris Mintz survived. Those present say Mintz may have helped save lives by delaying the gunman so that others could take cover. In a show of gratitude, several students took to social media to acknowledge his bravery and to encourage others to remember him rather than the killer.

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Let’s all remember and say his name, not the shooter’s. Thank you for your heroism, Chris Mintz. https://t.co/0qJuQ2xotL

— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) October 2, 2015

Chris Mintz. What a example of what it means to be a American Hero. Guys and Gals like this are true hero’s pic.twitter.com/r00mHEPqWs

— Goof-Bucket (@MrEd_EVH) October 2, 2015

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Chris Mintz was shot in the back, stomach, hands and legs, leaving both of his legs broken and requiring numerous surgeries.  He will need to undergo a long recovery process that will likely cost a fortune in medical bills. To assist him, a GoFundMe page was set up for Mintz, which has raised more than $750,000 as of this weekend.

According to the Army, Mintz served as an infantryman from 2004 to 2007, reaching the rank of specialist (SPC). He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. A White House petition was launched to encourage President Obama to award him with the Medal of Freedom.

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Chris Mintz is the Oregon school shooting hero.