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Principal Hailed As Hero For Taking Down Gunman http://www.wsbtv.com/education/6499278/detail.html with Pic of Principal)

POSTED: 12:46 pm EST January 27, 2006
UPDATED: 3:21 pm EST January 27, 2006

SAN ANTONIO -- The principal of Rayburn Elementary School tackled a gunman who was threatening her students and teachers Wednesday afternoon.

Shannon Allen, 31, a former Jourdanton High School athlete, said she just did what anyone else would have done.

On Wednesday afternoon, a man entered the school's front door and made his way to the library, where school staff members directed him to the main office.

Once in the office, he told Allen he had a gun. She persuaded him to toss the gun into a nearby trashcan, and then tried to talk to the distraught man.

"He didn't know I knew where the weapon was. He continually glanced over there. He got up and I tried to coerce him to sit down. That's when he became agitated and went for the weapon in the trashcan," said Allen.

Allen said instinct kicked in and she tackled the man when he tried to reach for the gun.

"(It was) somewhat of a struggle -- keeping him away from the weapon. We ended up kind of against the wall," said Allen.

Police arrived and arrested John Zermeno, 26, of Eagle Pass.

Police said Zermeno was released in December from an Eagle Pass jail, where he had been charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Allen said she's grateful no one was injured.

"You think about the safety of the kids and what could have happened, and it all worked out fine," said Allen.

Allen said she's received a lot of praise for what she did, and some kidding -- including a suggestion for another career.

"From joining the (Dallas) Cowboys," said Allen. "They need a tackle."