When the shooting started during the showing of the latest Batman movie in Aurora, Colorado, Jon Blunk, Matt McQuinn and Alex Teves all reacted immediately with valor and selflessness. The mother of Jansen Young, Blunk’s girlfriend, said that twenty-six year old Blunk, pushed Jansen under the seat. “He was 6-feet-2, in incredible shape … He pushed her down on the floor and laid on top of her and he died there.”
Twenty-four year old Alex Teves did the same, pushing his girlfriend, Amanda Lindgren, to the floor to protect her. His aunt told the Daily News, “He pushed her to the floor to save her and he ended up getting a bullet. He was gonna hit the floor himself, but he never made it.”
Twenty-seven year old Matt McQuinn took three bullets when he dove in front Samantha Yowler. One bullet hit him in the chest, one in the back, and the third in the leg. Yowler was hit in the leg as well, but survived.
In the midst of horrific tragedy, loss of life, and confusion, these young men displayed honor and courage much like those of an earlier era. Today, too many people think only of themselves, but these young men gave their lives to protect others. I am humbled by their example, and I wonder what I would do in a similar situation.
Greater love hath no man than this….
I thought of the same verse while I wrote this. They laid down their lives for their friends.
Thank you, Robin, for showcasing these selfless young men. Their stories need to be heard.
I agree, Laura. We hear so many negative things, especially about young men, that I felt these heroes deserved to be honored.
Wow, such terrific men, such tragedy. It is so sad for the girlfriends. While their lives are saved, they lost such a valuable gift.
I agree, Meredith. Those girls know how much they were loved in a way they could not have known before their boyfriends sacrificed themselves. They will mourn their loved ones even more.