October 02, 2015
Contributed Art/Facebook
Chris Mintz, 30, survived the deadly at Umpqua Community College in Roseberg, Oregon, on October 1, 2015.
One day after the deadly rampage at Oregon's Umpqua Community College, an Army veteran who confronted the gunman is in stable condition after sustaining seven gunshot wounds.
Chris Mintz, 30, has become a hero in the aftermath of the shooting as many observers attempt to steer attention away from the shooter, now deceased, who would likely have coveted the national spotlight in the wake of his violent attack that left 10 people dead and 7 others injured.
Family members say Mintz put his own life in danger in order to save the lives others. When he heard gunshots coming from the classroom next to his, Mintz met the gunman at the doorway, told the people in his classroom to calm down and attempted to talk the shooter out of it, USA Today reports.
Mintz, a 10-year veteran in the U.S. Army, was shot three times before the gunman entered the classroom. According to his aunt, Wanda Mintz, he fell to the floor and told the gunman that it was his son's birthday, but he was shot twice more and later suffered an additional two gunshot wounds.
The campus shooting marked the fifth in the United States since August this year, prompting many to find a better way to move forward by focusing on those who displayed bravery and heroism. After Mintz asked a friend of his to post an update on his condition to his Facebook page, support has poured in on social media for the veteran.
Forget Oregon’s gunman. Remember #ChrisMintz, student & army vet, who charged straight at him http://t.co/YOAZ6pNR7a pic.twitter.com/YmHv3DTmfh
— John Corlett (@CommunitySolsED) October 2, 2015
Mad respect for this Army brother. #ChrisMintz pic.twitter.com/nAOFXPGMqE
— Chuy (@LauroJCastro) October 2, 2015
I will say this -- I haven't seen the shooter's name once, but I know the name Chris Mintz.
— Daniel Kunka (@unikunka) October 2, 2015
Chris Mintz name is trending. The killer's name isn't. If you want to stop these kinds of crimes. This is a good start.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) October 2, 2015
During the incident, Mintz broke both of his legs, but is expected to recover from his injuries. To help him cover the cost of his medical bills, a GoFundMe account was set up Friday with a goal of $10,000. In just six hours, more than 7,000 people have donated approximately $230,000.
