Students, family identify victims of Noblesville West shooting

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As of late Friday night and early Saturday morning, students and family members have identified the victims of Friday’s shooting at Noblesville West Middle School as Ella Whistler, 13, a seventh-grade student at the school, and Jason Seaman, 29, a seventh-grade science teacher at the school.

Noblesville Schools identified Seaman, but neither police or the school district have confirmed Whistler as the student victim.

A statement from the Whistler family was widely shared on Facebook late Friday night. It reads:

“Our daughter, Ella Whistler, was involved in a horrific shooting today at her school. We will spend the next days and weeks processing what happened and why. But first, we wanted to say she is doing well at Riley Hospital for Children. Her status is critical, yet we are pleased to report she is stable. We’d like to thank everyone across the country who prayed for our family today. We’ve felt those prayers and appreciate each of them. We’d also like to thank the first responders, Noblesville police, Indiana State Police and the medical staff and surgeons at Riley. Please do not contact our family for further comment at this time. We appreciate you respecting our privacy as we support Ella in her recovery.”

It also is being widely reported that Seaman is the teacher who stopped the student gunman during the shooting.

Seaman’s mother posted about his condition on Facebook Friday afternoon stating he was out of surgery and doing well. She also said he had been shot three times, once in the abdomen, once in the hip and once in the forearm. Attempts to reach her have been unsuccessful.

According to ESPN.com, Seaman released a statement Friday night claiming he was injured and thanking first responders.

“First of all, thank you to the first responders from Noblesville and Fishers for their immediate action and care,” Seaman stated. “I want to let everyone know that I was injured but am doing great. To all students, you are all wonderful and I thank you for your support. You are the reason I teach.”

The Associated Press quoted a student who said Seaman swatted the gun out of the suspect’s hand and tackled him to the ground.

Seaman has taught at NWMS for approximately four years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He played as a defensive end at Southern Illinois University and coaches football at NWMS.

GoFundMe pages have been set up for both Whistler and Seaman and can be found at gofundme.com/ella-whistler and gofundme.com/nobforjasonseaman.

Community members looking to donate to the families can do so through the official donation account found at noblesvilleschools.org/foundation.


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