An eighth grade social studies teacher at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, New Mexico is being hailed as a hero for stepping in front of the gunman who wounded two students in a shooting Tuesday.

John Masterson stepped in front of the gunman after he started firing in the gym with a 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun.

“He stood there and allowed the gun to be pointed right at him so there would be no more young kids hurt,” Gov. Susana Martinez told a prayer vigil Tuesday.

Two students were wounded in the shooting.  Kendal Sanders, 13, is hospitalized in serious condition and her family told reporters that she is improving.  An 11-year-old boy is in critical condition after two surgeries and hospital officials have not updated his condition.

Police authorities have said they do not know the motive for the shooting but discovered that the shooter apparently warned other students to stay home Tuesday.