Ex-Kagman High teacher hailed a hero in wake of WA shooting

Various media outlets in the U.S. mainland are reporting that former Kagman High School teacher Megan Silberberger played a crucial role in stopping a student who went on a shooting rampage that killed three others in Marysville-Pilchuck High School last Friday in Washington.

In this file photo, the CNMI’s Megan Silberberger gets away from two Macau defenders during the Preliminary Round 1 of the 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup held in August this year at the Guam Training Centre in Harmon. (GUAM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION)

CNN quoted Marysville Education Association president Randy Davis as saying that Silberberger confronted freshman Jaylen Fryberg and stopped him from killing or injuring others. Fryberg, 15, later died from the same Beretta .40-caliber handgun he used to shoot students at the school.

One student, Erick Cervantes, confirmed Silberberger’s heroic deed to CNN affiliate KIRO.

“She just grabbed his arm,” said Cervantes. “She’s the one that intercepted him with the gun. He tried either reloading or tried aiming at her…I believe she’s actually the real hero.”

Silberberger taught at Kagman High School from 2011 to 2013 and school secretary Kim Camacho said they are proud of Silberberger’s actions during last week’s shooting rampage.

Camacho remembers Silberberger as a proactive teacher who was loved by her students and respected by her peers.

She said Silberberger always took lockdown drills at Kagman High seriously and that’s probably why she acted the way she did during last week’s tragedy “as her instincts just kicked in.”

Like other public schools in the CNMI, Kagman High holds lockdown drills thrice every quarter, Camacho said.

Silberberger is also part of CNMI Women’s National Football Team and one of her teammates, Patricia Coleman, said what Silberberger did last week in Marysville-Pilchuck High School is pure Megan.

“I’m not surprised that she would take action in a dangerous situation. She’s just that type of person. Megan was a teammate who knew how to encourage others. She also was a volunteer coach for Paire Football Club U15 girls and always went the extra mile to make sure that the girls she coached made it to practice and games. She definitely has a ‘can-do’ attitude,” Coleman said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

Tennis coach Jeff Race, whose daughter Gabrielle is also Silberberger’s teammate in the women’s national soccer team, said Silberberger was always a tough girl not only in the pitch but also outside of it.

“She’s that kind of person. I’m not surprised at all that she would jump in to do something like that. She’s a real action-oriented person,” said Race.

Women’s nationals manager Angie Ito learned about Silberberger’s heroic act after watching the news yesterday morning. She said she’s still in shock to find out that Silberberger put her life in harm’s way to prevent more senseless killing.

Her assistant coach in the national team, Jersh Angeles, said despite her diminutive size (5’4” and about 115 lbs), Silberberger was always fearless in the pitch, throwing herself headlong against taller and heftier opponents.

“We’re both happy and proud of her heroic deed and look forward to having her play again for the CNMI,” said Angeles.

After reportedly being traumatized by last week’s incident, Silberberger’s friends and co-workers on Saipan expressed their sympathies for Silberberger and prayed for her quick recovery. They also offered condolences to the families of the two who died during the rampage.

“We are praying for her and we are here for her in any way that she needs us to be. We love her and know that she will find the strength to work through the tragic event that recently took place,” said Coleman.