In a heroic act of bravery, four fathers are being praised for their quick-thinking response in disarming an active shooter at a high school band competition in Texas.
The terrifying incident took place on Saturday evening at Pasadena Memorial High School in Harris County, where students and parents from multiple schools had gathered. According to the Pasadena Police Department, 83-year-old Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr. entered the school with a small-caliber weapon and opened fire, injuring a man in his mid-20s.
Before the situation could escalate further, a group of fathers immediately intervened. One tackled Brandl to the ground, while the others worked together to disarm and restrain him until law enforcement arrived. The victim, who had no prior connection to Brandl, was taken to the hospital in stable condition and is expected to recover.
Brandl, who reportedly believed he was being chased and feared for his life, left his home in Spring, Texas, and ended up 35 miles away in Pasadena, where he entered the school. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in custody, awaiting transfer to the Harris County Jail.
Who Are the ‘Band Dads’?
The four men who stopped the shooter all have backgrounds in law enforcement or the military. Dubbed the “Pearland Dads,” they are:
- Abram Trevino – 13-year U.S. Air Force veteran
- Adam Curow – 14-year U.S. Army veteran
- Efrain ‘Polo’ Castillo – 4-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Joe Sanchez – Longtime Houston police sergeant
Recalling the moment they sprang into action, Sanchez said, “People were screaming, ‘Active shooter, active shooter!’ Polo and I dropped everything and ran inside.” Curow, who disarmed Brandl, added, “I grabbed his wrist, tackled him, and got the handgun free. I kept it secured behind my back to prevent further danger.”
Community Praise for the Heroes
The fathers’ courageous actions have been widely applauded. Pearland ISD Superintendent Larry Berger called them “heroes to all of us,” while Harris County Constable Mark Herman praised their “swift and selfless” response.
Thanks to these four brave men, what could have been a tragic event was stopped in its tracks, preventing further harm to students, parents, and staff.
