Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

A brave PE teacher has managed to overpower a gunman who held a class of students hostage while brandishing an automatic rifle and bag of explosives.

The dramatic incident took place in the village of Livadice near the town of Velika Plana in the central Serbian district of Podunavlje when 46-year-old Goran Todorovic broke into the Vuk Karadzic Economic and Catering School and opened fire, according to reports.

Brandishing an automatic rifle and a bag full of explosives, the suspect walked into a classroom and held the students and teacher hostage, according to local media.

Reports said the Serbian suspect did not make any requests, he simply sat at the teacher’s desk while mumbling that someone was threatening to kill his wife and children.

Thanks to brave PE teacher Slavoljub Stojadinovic, the hostage crisis only lasted for about 15 minutes.

He said that a student told him something was going on in the classroom and he ran into the building and up the stairs where he saw explosive sticks outside the door.

Stojadinovic told local media: “In the classroom was a man sitting at the desk, holding a gun.

“I started talking with him and when his gaze turned to the board, I grabbed his rifle.

“We started wrestling and while I was trying to seize the rifle, two shots went off. Luckily, he fired into the ceiling.”

Reports said the brave PE teacher managed to overpower the gunman and no one was injured in the incident.

The police arrested Todorovic, who is said to be suffering with mental health issues, and the investigation into the school hostage incident is ongoing.

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