Harrisburg, SD (KELO AM) – The first steps in the healing process for members of the Harrisburg High School were taken on Thursday when students went back to class and Dr Kevin Lein returned to work less than 24 hours after 16 year old Mason Buhl allegedly shot him in the arm following an argument.
During a news conference Principal Lein expressed sympathy for Buhl, offering “My deep prayers, [to him] and his family. It’s going to be a tragic road for them I’m sure. I hope that there’s help out there.” Buhl made his initial court appearance in Lincoln County before Judge Bradly Zell on Thursday, where he found out he will be facing charges of attempted murder and commission of a felony with a firearm. Both carry a penalty of 25 years in prison and $50,000 in fines. He will be tried as an adult because of the severity of the crimes, and will remain in the juvenile detention center for the foreseeable future without bond.
From the moment that Buhl supposedly fired the single shot that hit Lein, the principal has maintained a positive outlook. Everything from the moment he took to the schools intercom to tell students what had happened telling the media that his elbow hurts “from too many hugs,” his positive spirit has helped take the edge off what was a dark day for the school. Lein will be the first to tell you he’s had some help from a higher power. “I feel really grounded in my faith. There’s a purpose in this, hard to discern what it is right now, but certainly I feel blessed to be here today.”
Vice Principal Ryan Rollinger also spoke at today’s news conference about the actions he took to halt Buhl in his tracks, saying at first it was curiosity that drove him to the chaos. “There was a loud noise, then there was yelling. So I figured that was something I may want to investigate.” What happened after that he described as a near out-of-body experience. “I don’t remember making a conscious thought to go help, my bod just kind of took over.” He added that the potential danger of the situation didn’t really register with him until after the fact.
As for being called a hero, Rollinger said that’s not for him to decide. “If the kids come to me today and say I’m a hero to them, I appreciate that. Personally, I think that my action was heroic. But I think heroes are people who put themselves into positons of danger like that on purpose. Military, police officers, firemen, people who their job is to put their lives in danger.”