The armed security guard who successfully confronted a school shooter received a standing ovation at the Washington Nationals’ opening game Thursday; throwing out the first pitch as locals applauded the hero’s selfless actions.

Images appeared on social media within minutes after Blaine Gaskill, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy who responded within seconds of a student opening fire at a local school, threw the first pitch in the nation’s capital.

Pre game at Nationals openng day.

Deputy Gaskill ready to deliver first pitch. #GMHSSTRONG pic.twitter.com/MxCne2dQZs — Sheriff Tim Cameron (@SheriffCameron) April 5, 2018

FIRST PITCH HERO: St. Mary’s Co. Sheriff’s Deputy/School Resource Officer Blaine Gaskill says he’s ready! “Pretty excited to be here,” he says. “Nervous but excited.” pic.twitter.com/OqrstYJeNX — Richard Reeve (@abc7Richard) April 5, 2018

Gaskill was thrust into national headlines last month when he confronted an active school shooter, forcing the attacker to abandon his plans and turn the gun on himself.

“Our school resource officer was alerted to the event. he pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter, fired a round at the shooter,” St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron said. “The shooter fired a round as well. In the hours and days to come, we’ll be able to determine if our school resource officer’s round struck the shooter.”