Guard Who Disarmed School Stabber Says He Was Fired for Being Too Old
The elderly security guard who took a knife to the chest while stopping a stabbing spree at a Pennsylvania high school has been fired by his employer, a private contractor. John Resetar, 70, says he was told he was too old to do his job.
Back in April, Resetar helped to stop 16-year-old Alex Hribal, who allegedly ran down the hallway at at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa., slashing 19 students with two 8-inch knives. In the process, the security guard was stabbed just below his heart. He was back on the job the following week.
Resetar says he's upset that he was fired in a letter, with no discussion. The termination note from Capital Asset Protection read, "Franklin Regional and Capital came to the conclusion that ... it is best ... to relieve you of your duties at the school," he told Pittsburgh's KDKA.
"What really upset me, more than anything," Resetar said, "is that nobody would sit down and talk to me and tell me to my face."
Assistant superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac told KDKA the school district wishes Resetar the best, but she also told Reuters his firing was out of the district's control, and they're trying to get more information.
Capital hasn't commented on Resetar's firing. He had been employed at the school for 9 years.
Resetar's lawyer, Tim Dawson, told Reuters he intends to sue for age discrimination.
