She may not take credit for it, but the fact remains: Antoinette Tuff saved an untold number of lives Tuesday.
Michael Brandon Hill, 20, took an AK-47 on to the campus of Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur, Ga., but surrendered to authorities without causing any real harm.
All because Tuff opened up and managed to relate to the troubled young man.
"Don’t feel bad, baby," the front office employee is heard saying to Hill on 911 tapes that were released yesterday.
"My husband just left me after 33 years … I’ve got a son that’s multiple disabled… It’s all going to be well."
Tuff went on to sympathize with Hill and convince him not to make a horrible situation worse.
"We’re not going to hate you, baby. It’s a good thing that you’re giving up, so we’re not going to hate you," she tells him. "Let’s do it before the helicopters and stuff like that come…
"… it’s going to be alright, sweetie. I just want you to know that I love you, though, okay? And I’m proud of you. That’s a good thing that you’re just giving up, and don’t worry about it. We all go through something in life … You’re going to be okay."
Tuff then proceeded to give instructions from police to Hill, who put down his weapon and lay down on the ground with his hands behind his back.
Once Hill is restrained by the cops, Tuff breaks down on the phone with the operator, screaming and crying: "Oh, Jesus! Oh, God!"
What a tragic situation. What an incredibly brave woman.