Brady Olson

SEATTLE — In the moments after a 16-year-old boy fired two gunshots in a Washington state high school and walked toward a commons area where students were gathering before class — a couple of things went right.

A teacher raced toward the boy, grabbing him and taking him to the ground to keep him from firing again. Brady Olson’s quick action may also have spared the student’s life, since a school police officer says he was just a step away from having a clear shot at the teen.

Olson says his first thought was getting the gun away, and his second thought was for the shooter’s well-being.

“I had a conversation with him while I was lying on top of him. I told him we were going to get him some help,” the government and civics teacher told a news conference Tuesday.

Bail was set at $500,000 for the boy being held in Thurston County in connection with Monday’s shooting at North Thurston High School in Lacey, Wash.

Juvenile Court Commissioner Lynn Hayes found probable cause for five proposed charges of theft of a firearm, felony harassment, possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm, The Olympian newspaper reported. She authorized a 72-hour mental health hold, during which the boy will undergo a mental health evaluation.

The boy stole the .357 Magnum pistol from his father and brought it to school in a duffel bag, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Graham said. The gun was loaded with hollow-point bullets.

The boy, a recent transfer, reportedly told detectives he didn’t intend to hurt any other students.

At the news conference, Olson said he had never seen the student before he heard a gun fired Monday morning and looked up to see the armed student walking down stairs into a cafeteria area where students had gathered.