Why a high school principal forgave the student who tried to kill him
Nearly two years after one of his own students shot him at close range, Kevin Lein has become that student's primary advocate.
In 2015, Lein, a high school principal in Harrisburg, S.D., was shot by Mason Buhl, then a 16-year-old student.
Buhl had recently transferred to the area, moving to town with his mother after his parents separated. Lein was hoping to advise him on some school activities he could join to get to know the community better.
Instead, Buhl walked into the principal's office unannounced, pulled out a pistol and aimed it directly at his forehead.
"He was about a foot and a half away [from me] with a gun. The first time he attempted [to shoot], the gun malfunctioned. Had it went that time, I'm not quite certain I would be here because I thought it was a toy gun and I had reached for it thinking Mason was handing it to me," he told As It Happens guest host Mike Finnerty.
"He took a step back, he cocked it and I could see the bullet going into the chamber and then he stepped forward and was about two feet away. I was able to get my arm up in time and it went through my elbow and then into my chest. But it was through the grace of whoever, it really didn't cause as much of an injury as you'd think that close with that kind of weapon."
I don't believe in violence or vengeance ... So I really feel great that Mason's getting a second chance.- Kevin Lein, principal
School staffers then tackled Buhl, pinning him to the ground, and kicked the weapon away. The school then went into lock down.
The first thing Lein did was get on the school intercom to let the students know the situation was under control and they could tell their parents everything was going to be okay.
He came back to work the next day, his arm in a sling.
Lein advocates for 'treatment, not punishment'
This month, Buhl pleaded guilty of attempted murder, a charge that would normally land him in prison for 25 years. Instead, he was sentenced to 15 years probation and committed to a mental health rehabilitation program.
The decision came after Lein himself advocated tirelessly for treatment, rather than punishment, for Buhl.
"I don't believe in violence or vengeance. I don't think it solved anything or made anybody better. So I really feel great that Mason's getting a second chance," he said.
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He believes Buhl's attack was a cry for help and that young people like him need more mental health resources.
Lein hasn't spoken to Buhl since the incident, but when asked what he plans to say whenever they next meet, he said: "Just that I love him and I've always had hopes for him and I'm really proud of how he's come through this and let's see what we can do to get through this. Let's just move forward."