• Brendan Bialy, a senior at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado, tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen during a shooting that killed one student and injured eight others on Tuesday.
  • Bialy’s father said the teen wants to join the Marine Corps when he graduates high school.
  • Classmate Nui Giasolli told the “Today” show the student who died in the shooting, Kendrick Castillo, also attempted to tackle the gunman.
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Multiple students lunged themselves at gunmen during a Colorado school shooting on Tuesday that killed one student and injured eight others in an attempt to protect their classmates.

Brendan Bialy, a senior at STEM School Highlands Ranch and an aspiring Marine, tackled and disarmed one of two gunman during the shooting, his father, Brad, told NBC News.

Classmate Nui Giasolli told the “Today” show the student who died in the shooting, Kendrick Castillo, also attempted to tackle the gunman, along with two other boys.

Giasolli said a classmate came into their British literature class late on Tuesday, suddenly he pulled a gun out and told everyone not to move.

"That's when Kendrick lunged at him, and he shot Kendrick," Giasolli said, "giving all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe, and to run across the room to escape."

She also thanked "Brendan Bialy, Jackson Gregory, and Lucas Albertoni to be some of the kids that were brave enough to bring [the shooter] down so that all of us could escape and all of us could be reunited with our families."

Bialy's family released a statement through their lawyer saying the teen plans to join the Marine Corps after graduation.

"We are deeply saddened for the victims, families, friends, and community on this tragic day," the statement to NBC said. "We'd like to commend the immediate response of law enforcement and assure all we are strong with the love of our families, community, friends, and every one sending concern, wishes, and strength. We will persevere."

Read more: At least 1 killed, and 8 others injured in a school shooting outside Denver

Two suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday following the shooting.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office identified one suspect as 18-year-old Devon Erickson. The second suspect has not been identified.

The suspects are students at STEM School Highlands Ranch, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.

Authorities said on Wednesday that the suspects used at least two handguns in the shooting, according to the Associated Press.

Tuesday's shooting came just days after two people were killed and four others were injured in a shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.