Teen's quick-thinking saves life of classmate who was shot: 'I had to make sure he was OK'

Our friends are the most important people in our lives and they support us in ways that no other person could. For one particular kid, quick thinking and the support of a friend proved to be life-saving. A 15-year-old girl saved her friend who was shot during an unfortunate incident, reports TODAY. Students at Kirby High School in Memphis, Tennessee had just been dismissed for the day when shots were fired around 500 yards away at a Sonic Drive-In restaurant.

C’Azia Hamilton said, "Everyone started running back into the building." Yet Hamilton remained put as she realized a victim was staggering towards the school and understood that he was in need of medical treatment. She soon realized it was her friend and she "had to make sure he was OK." She said, "I couldn’t leave." Hamilton, a member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, took her friend to a bench and dialed 911. She took off her JROTC belt and wrapped it over the injured peer's leg, forming an improvised tourniquet. 

She said she knew she had to stop the bleeding till the medical professionals arrived. She added, "I kept telling him, ‘You’ve got to keep talking to me,’ and he was like, ‘Don’t let me go.' " As paramedics came, Hamilton claims they instructed her to remain with the victim and continue holding his hand. They also praised her for "keeping him conscious." The man was sent to a neighboring hospital in critical condition, but his status was subsequently upgraded to non-critical and it was all because of Hamilton. 

Two 16-year-old boys were arrested in the case and accused of many charges including attempted first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. Master Sgt. Lonnie Coleman, a JROTC instructor at Kirby High School, lauds Hamilton for acting quickly. She said, "We teach first aid here — and we’re proud of her for using a technique she learned." Hamilton said she hasn't slept well since the shooting incident. However, unfortunately, she is not alone as Zoe Touray is one of the hundreds of students who have experienced this in the country. Touray was a senior at Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan, on November 30, 2021, when a shooter opened fire. Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling were killed in the attack.

Touray, now 18, recalls the sound of a guy attempting to enter their classroom, as well as the panic in her teacher's eyes. For weeks, Touray had nightmares. She also had difficulty asking for assistance. She said, "I'm outraged. Kids deserve to feel safe at school — kids deserve to feel safe after school when they go to a gathering spot. It makes me feel disheartened that America just cannot solve this problem."

School shootings remain a dangerous issue in the country, however, kids like Hamilton are taking the matters into their own hands by helping out in distressing situations. Her bravery and courage saved the life of the 15-year-old young boy in a rather threatening situation.