Retired Choctaw teacher sheltered students at house during shooting at high school football game

[Tommy Daniels]

CHOCTAW, Okla. —
As frantic students scattered in every direction Friday night at a high
school football game, dozens of children ended up at a home right across
the street.

The first football game of the season for Choctaw High School against Del
City High School ended in a fatal shooting, as gunfire rang throughout the
football stadium. A 16-year-old Midwest City High School student was
killed in the shooting that injured two others, according to the Midwest
City-Del City School District.

Vicky Pruitt lives directly across from Choctaw High School, but she had
no idea there was a shooting. Within minutes, dozens of students were
frantically running toward her house.

"There were two young boys, I believe they were seventh-graders, just
hysterical telling us someone was shooting up the field over at the
football field," Pruitt said. "By then, more kids are showing up in our
yard because they didn’t know where else to go."

Pruitt is a retired teacher from Choctaw Middle School. She immediately
stepped into action.

She offered water, a cell phone to call home and a safe place to the
students.

“Had one little girl that just cried the entire time, probably two hours
straight. She was so upset. Just distraught," Pruitt said.

Pruitt said she's not the only neighbor who opened their doors and their
homes. She said it was just the Choctaw thing to do.

“For this to happen in our town so close to my home, I just couldn’t
fathom. I was so mad. I was angry," Pruitt said. "I’m just proud to be a
part of this community, and I’m glad that when there is a time and need,
people step up."

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-choctaw-del-city-midwest-city-
teacher-sheltered-students-shooting-football-game/44918184