Teacher Kennet Santana, 35, is one of a number of Hillsdale High School staffers credited with subduing the bombing suspect. He told The Associated Press he was walking cautiously toward the disruption on Monday when he found himself face to face with the boy.
"He had a black tactical vest on with lots of pockets," Santana said by phone Tuesday. "We were maybe six feet away from each other at this point, we're talking seconds, there was not time for a lot of thinking."
The explosions caused neither serious damage nor injury, but the 1,270-student school was evacuated, and Santana and the other staff members were credited with stopping a situation that could have played out much more tragically.
Evidence collected so far suggests the boy had planned the attack for months, and that he had a number of specific targets on the school faculty whom he believed had wronged him, San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer said.
"He had planned in brutal and chilling detail this action over months," she said. "He clearly was out to demonstrate he could get back at the school administration."
The unidentified boy, a San Mateo resident who had not attended the school for more than a year, was arrested just after the second blast about 8 a.m. at the school at 3115 Del Monte St. The remaining eight bombs were strapped to his chest in a military-style vest, San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer said during a news conference. The teen detonated the bombs in the north west hallway of the academic wing near the library, police said.
Evidence collected so far suggests the boy had planned the attack for months, and that he had a number of specific targets on the school faculty whom he believed had wronged him, San Mateo police Chief Susan Manheimer said.
"He had planned in brutal and chilling detail this action over months," she said. "He clearly was out to demonstrate he could get back at the school administration."
Santana said the boy, whom police have not identified because he is a minor, could have run toward the street to escape, but instead chose to follow the fleeing students.
"He was trying to go toward the kids, he could have exited to the street," Santana said. "He was trying to go toward the drama."
"I decided to close distance and bear-hugged him and restrained his arms. We were face-to-face, chest-to-chest," he said.
Police quickly arrived and arrested the teen on suspicion of six felony counts of attempted murder, igniting a destructive device with intent to murder, possession of destructive devices, possession of destructive devices on school grounds, possession of destructive devices with intent to injure or destroy property and assault with a deadly weapon.
The boy is being held in San Mateo County's juvenile hall while the district attorney reviews the evidence and decides whether he should be tried as an adult.
Law enforcement officials said the result could have been much worse. They lauded the work of Santana and other staff members who helped subdue the boy.
"The teachers acted heroically and risked their own lives," said police Lt. Mike Brunicardi. "(They) were not taking into consideration their personal safety, they were taking the greater good into mind to save 1,270 students and about 100 school staff members.
Back on campus Tuesday, Santana and other teachers discussed the incident. Students were scheduled to return on Wednesday, and teachers, students and others will gather to discuss the incident in the morning then restart classes in the afternoon.
Santana said the boy did not struggle, only saying "let me go" after he'd been held.
"He was not struggling, it was almost like he was defeated," Santana said.
After stopping the boy with a bear hug, Santana threw him to the floor and was joined by Principal Jeff Gilbert and school counselor Ed Canda. The three held the boy down until police arrived.
"We had more people running to the explosion than we had running away from the explosion," Gilbert said. "So I think that speaks to the staff and just what they feel about the students."
-Police near the school-
Scott Laurence, Superintendent of San Mateo Union High School District, left, watches as workers work near a spot where damage was found after a two pipe bombs were detonated on Monday at Hillsdale High School on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in San Mateo, Calif. A day after a 17-year-old boy armed with a chain saw, sword and explosives detonated two pipe bombs at a Northern California high school before being restrained, teachers and staff were back at work trying to make sense of it all.
Teacher Kennet Santana, 35, center, with counselor Ed Canda, left, prepares to speak at a news conference at Hillsdale High School on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in San Mateo, Calif. At right is Scott Laurence, Superintendent of San Mateo Union High School District. A day after a 17-year-old boy armed with a chain saw, sword and explosives, detonated two pipe bombs at a Northern California high school before being restrained, teachers and staff were back at work trying to make sense of it all. Santana is credited with subduing the bombing suspect
Teacher Kennet Santana, 35, left, with counselor Ed Canda, right, speaks at a news conference at Hillsdale High School on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in San Mateo, Calif. A day after a 17-year-old boy armed with a chain saw, sword and explosives detonated two pipe bombs at a Northern California high school before being restrained, teachers and staff were back at work trying to make sense of it all. Santana is one of the staffers credited with subduing the bombing suspect.
-Alex Youshock has been identified by sources as the suspect in a bombing incident at Hillsdale High School that took place Monday morning. -
-Police arrest the 17-year-old suspect-
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SAN MATEO, CA Hundreds of worried parents in San Mateo rushed to pick up their children Monday morning after an explosion rocked Hillsdale High School.
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