Antoinette Tuff On How God Prepared Her To Talk Georgia Gunman Down

On August 20th, 2013, a gunman came into Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy, a Georgia elementary school.  He had an AK-47, among other weapons, and a bag of ammunition. But nobody died or was even injured, because Antoinette Tuff happened to be the woman in the front office that day. She talked the gunman down from carrying out what could have been a horrifying act of gun violence in America’s history. She negotiated a peaceful, exchange between the gunman and police through a 911 dispatcher, sparing the lives of everyone involved.

Now, Toni Braxton is playing Antionette in a Lifetime movie about her bravery on that terrifying day.  Antoinette talks about how her faith prepared her to stay calm, explaining that the whole incident was an assignment from God. It also lead her to return to Atlanta and start a mentoring program in that same school system, and giving out scholarships annually on the day the city now holds in her honor. She explains how she connected with the gunman based on the pain she was recovering from, and relating to his pain. Click on the audio player to hear more in this exclusive interview from “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.”

Listen to “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show” LIVE every weekday from 6/5am C.

RELATED: Special K Talks To D Fresh About What Inspired Him To Write “Pants Up Guns Down” [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

RELATED: Jeezy Shares What He Thinks Is The Cause Of Gun Violence In Chicago [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

RELATED: Rickey Smiley & D’Essence Talk Gun Safety & Self-Defense [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

RELATED: Vic Mensa Drags DJ Akademiks About Chicago Gun Violence [EXCLUSIVE]

The Latest:

• Tramell Tillman Makes Emmy History With Supporting Actor Win
• Marcus Jordan Reaches Deal to Avoid DUI Prosecution
• Questlove Set To Receive 2025 Peabody Trailblazer Award For Shaping The Culture
• The Diplomats Sunglasses Collaboration Unveiled For NYFW
• The Fumble: Tyreek Hill’s Legal Problems Affecting His Legacy, NFC’s Battle For The Next Big Name QB
• All Hail! Holly Robinson Peete Talks Hosting ‘King’s Court’ & Guiding Bravo’s Bachelors With Royal Relationship Wisdom [Exclusive]
• Sage Steele Wants NBA, WNBA And NFL To Give Charlie Kirk The George Floyd Treatment, Because…Of Course She Doess
• ‘Everyone Can Be Inspired By Africa’: Sergio Hudson Tells HB At NYFW After Dropping His Spring/Summer 2026 Collection
• Meagan Good & Jonathan Majors Reveal Photos From Their Secret Wedding As Actor’s Mother Reveals Her ‘Lasting’ Pre-Marital Advice
• Couture Cardi B & Mini-Me Daughter Kulture, Ciara, ‘Love Island’s’ Nic & Olandria & More Slay New York Fashion Week