ABSTRACT
Buzz, a student in a small community of 4,500 people, walked into his first-period class at Walker Middle School with a loaded 38-caliber handgun hidden in his backpack. Shortly after the class began Buzz removed the handgun from his backpack, stood up, and pointed the gun at the teacher and 26 students. He yelled, “I am holding you hostage” A teacher walking down the hall saw what was happening and immediately contacted Ms. Mary Bos well, the principal. Boswell had the secretary notify the police and activated the campus crisis management plan. The code for a building lockdown was heard over the school intercom and Boswell headed for the hostage classroom, When she arrived at the classroom door she could see fear on the faces of everyone in the classroom. Boswell began talking to the student holding the gun and called him by name. She knew Buzz-he was an academically talented student and a member of the Walker Middle School academic decathlon team. After some negotiations, Buzz agreed to free the student and teacher hostages in exchange for Principal Boswell. Buzz, with his hostage, moved from the classroom to Boswell’s office and continued to point his gun at the principal. As Principal Boswell talked with Buzz, he began to tell her his problems. Boswell listened and continued to suggest that Buzz hand her the gun. After 6 hours Buzz gave the gun to Principal Boswell and the hostage crisis was over with no physical harm.
