Brian Pillman’s Grandson Honored For Preventing Alleged Murder Plot; Lexis King Comments

Written by Sondra Ruth • Published Feb 13, 2024 15:25 EST
Brian Pillman Jackson Swallen Boom Swallen Zach Swallen

Brian Pillman’s grandson and Lexis King‘s nephew is being honored after he helped prevent a potentially deadly school shooting.

15 year old Jackson Swallen, otherwise known as Boom, potentially saved the lives of fellow classmates and teachers after he told his father about another student’s plan to execute a mass shooting at Mariemont High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A 14 year old student was arrested on February 7th for a “potential threat” at the school, which the district said was a “credible plot to harm students and staff.” According to prosecutor Melissa Powers, the student plotted with an out-of-state adult to create a list of potential victims and was planning to use a weapon located at his home.

Boom’s father Zach Swallen spoke with WCPO about the incident, saying that his son called and alerted him after his fellow student told him about the alleged plan that included a hit list. Swallen was choked up speaking about his son’s quick action to prevent the plan, saying:

“This swift action was definitely warranted and I’m grateful that my son reached out because if he hadn’t…”

Continuing, Swallen said that his son acted despite being threatened by the other student. Fighting back tears, he told WCPO:

“The kid had the firearms and had a very elaborate plan and had every intention of carrying out that plan. My son, he doesn’t lie. He’s very literal, I could tell by his tone. And it was told to my son that if he disclosed anything about the plan to anybody, he would be shot and killed. But my son literally told me he didn’t care if he got killed as long as he could protect his classmates.”

Still, despite the shocking nature of the alleged plan, Zach Swallen says he wants the 14 year old student to get help.

“We don’t know what he’s going through and I feel sorry for him. I want him to know that my son forgives him and I forgive him and I hope he gets help and we’re all able to, you know, come together.”

Brian Pillman’s Grandson Honored By Uvalde Foundation For Kids

On February 10th, the non-violence advocacy group Uvalde Foundation for Kids announced that they would be honoring Boom with its National Student Hero Award. Daniel Chapin, a spokesperson for the organization, said:

“This student who helped extinguish a possible threat to fellow students, represents the reality of how the climate of violence plaguing our nations schools and threatening student lives can come to an end — not through gun control or more safety planning meetings; but rather through alert, caring students such as this young man who refuse to stand by when a potential threat stands against their friends.”

Taking to social media after hearing the news, NXT star Lexis King praised his nephew for his efforts, writing:

“This is my nephew Jackson Swallen. As you can probably tell he’s got the genes of his late grandfather Flyin Brian Pillman! 15 years old and already a national hero, we are all so proud of him!!!”