New Mexico shooting -- a social studies teacher bravely disarmed the 12-year-old boy who sneaked a sawed-off, 20-gauge shotgun inside his Roswell middle school and shot two classmates before the morning bell.

John Masterson stood in the way of the smoking shotgun when he talked the young suspect into dropping the weapon he had just fured at a 13-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy inside Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, New Mexico on Tuesday.

"(Masterson) stood there and allowed a gun to be pointed right at him," said State Governor Susana Martinez. "And to talk down that young boy to drop the gun so that there would be no more young kids hurt."

The injured boy and girl - identified by her father as Kendal Sanders - were rushed to the nearest medical institution but after the initial assessment of their wounds, were soon airlifted to the University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.

The unidentified male student, who was shot directly in the face, remained in critical condition, according to a hospital representative. Sanders was treated for the gunshot wound she received on her right shoulder and expected to survive.

According to authorities, a state police lieutenant was dropping off his child at the school when gunshots were heard. The police officer rushed to the gymnasium, where the social studies teacher had already talked the child to drop his 20-guage shotgun.

"It's one thing for an armed state police officer to enter the school and do his or her job," said Pete Kassetas, New Mexico State Police Chief, in an interview. "It's another thing for a teacher, staff member to intervene in a situation like this."

Another staff member was wounded attempting to help students escape the gym when gunfire erupted but declined medical treatment when help arrived. 

Officials believe that the suspect, whose identity remained undisclosed, may have warned a few students about the planned attack before he sneaked the shotgun into his bag and brought it to school.