Slain Michigan Teen’s Christlike Actions Earn Admiration from Fellow Students

In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friend.”

And while it isn’t widely known outside of the little Michigan town of Oxford whether or not 16-year-old Tate Myre was a believer in Jesus, he did display Christlike actions on Tuesday that his fellow students will never forget. Myre was shot to death while trying to wrestle a 9mm Sig Sauer away from a schoolmate at Oxford High School that saw three students die and several others injured.

A junior and a running back on the football team, Myre died inside a patrol car as deputies rushed him to the hospital Tuesday afternoon. His fellow students confirmed that he was a “hero” in trying to disarm the gunman.

An online petition, which was set up Tuesday and called for Oxford High School to rename its football stadium for Myre, has attracted more than 47,800 signatures as of Wednesday morning.

“Tate is not just a hero to his fellow students at Oxford High School but a legend. His act of bravery should be remembered forever and passed down through generations. He put his life in danger to try and help the thousands of other students at Oxford High School,” the petition at change.org stated.

Some signatories praised Myre’s actions:

“Tate is the face of Oxford football. He will be missed, and we need to do something to recognize him,” Joseph Cumano wrote.

“Nobody should go to school and never come back home. This is the least we could do for him; my heart aches for his family,” Skyler Berney wrote.

Meanwhile, some of the others who were shot Tuesday continue to fight for their lives. Foxnews.com reported that:

• A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. A 17-year-old girl is also in critical condition after she was shot in the chest.

• A 14-year-old boy is in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the head and jaw. Another 14-year-old boy is on a ventilator after suffering chest and neck wounds.

• A 17-year-old girl is in stable condition after being shot in the neck, and a 15-year-old boy is also stable after being shot in the leg.

• A 47-year-old teacher was grazed by a bullet during the tragedy.

The 15-year-old suspect, a sophomore at Oxford High, is in police custody and has chosen to invoke his right to remain silent. No motive for the shooting has been revealed.

Please continue to pray for those who are suffering and for the families and community during this traumatic time. {eoa}

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