The young boy who was credited for protecting children in a classroom from a gunman by helping barricade it said he is struggling but feeling good.
Jeremiah Reese, aged 10, was in the back room of the Burnette Chapel of Church in Antioch when a gunman walked in and opened fire after he reportedly killed a woman in the parking lot.
The shooting happened as the service was ending on Sunday, September 17.
NewsChannel 5 interviewed Jeremiah and his mother a few hours after the deadly incident. He remained well-composed and showed strength and courage after living through a terrifying ordeal.
"I was like how can we make sure nobody gets in and keep an eye on this door? I said we can move a couch sideways and push it near the door and get a table to block the door," recalled Jeremiah.
It was a moment that Jeremiah will never forget but stays strong from.
"When I was in the classroom I really thought my life was about to end and I thought I was about to go," said Jeremiah.
Nearly two weeks later, Jeremiah continues to limp after hurting his ankle that morning. He has been unable to go to karate classes because of his condition.
"I actually felt mad because I can't go to karate, because I love karate so much," he said.
Many including his classmates and teachers have praised Jeremiah for his actions. Two days after the shooting, Jeremiah returned to school and was eventually met with a signed poster saying 'You're My Hero, Jeremiah'.
"People just started giving me hugs and I was like, 'Whoa' this is a new experience for me because I don't usually get this much attention. I wanted to cry you know because it was an emotional moment," added Jeremiah.
He said understands why people would call him a hero but Jeremiah felt he was just doing what he could to keep everyone safe.
"No I'm not a hero because people have been through much more than I have," he said.
Jeremiah said he wants to be a policeman or a firefighter when he gets older.
