Hero teacher took a bullet for coworker in Lafayette theater shooting, Louisiana gov. says

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Friday, July 24, 2015
Teacher takes bullet, hailed as hero in Lafayette shooting
Two teachers are hailed as heroes in the Lafayette theater shooting after one pulled the fire alarm and the other took a bullet for her.

LAFAYETTE -- When a gunman opened fire in a movie theater, a teacher shielded a coworker from getting a bullet to the head, Louisana Gov. Bobby Jindal said.

"Her friend literally jumped over her, and, in her account, actually saved her life," Jindal said in a press conference. "If she hadn't done that ... that bullet, she believed it would have hit her in the head."

Three people were killed, including the gunman, in the Thursday shooting at the Grand 16 Theater in Lafayette. The teachers were not among those killed.

PHOTOS: Lafayette movie theater shooting

The two teachers are Jena Meaux and Ali Martin, according to ABC affiliate KATC.

Both of the teachers were shot, but one was still able to pull the fire alarm, Jindal said.

"Even though she was shot in the leg, she had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm to help save other lives," Jindal said.

Jindal said that the teacher who was shielded had already been discharged from the hospital, where the other remained.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the teachers.