Steve Newton was just five weeks into his job as a cashier at a McDonald’s in Methuen, Massachusetts when he found himself in a situation in which he had to save the life of a stranger.

The 39 year-old recounted his harrowing story to the press afterwards. Here’s what he had to say:

“I was working the drive-through window when I heard two pops. It sounded like fireworks. Then I heard another one, and I was like, is that gunfire?

My boss told me to lock the door. And as I was about to do that, I saw a kid stumbling toward it, helped by a woman.

He was like, “I got shot.” And I said, “I know, bud. We already called 911. Help is on the way.” I was trying to keep him calm to keep his heart rate down.

I laid him down on the floor and asked where he got hit, and he pointed to his chest, his lower abdomen and his right leg.

I ran in the back, grabbed a knife and started cutting his clothes off. We needed clothes or towels to keep him from bleeding out. So I took my shirt off and applied pressure to his leg, the woman who was with him did the same to his abdomen, and a customer did his chest.

The next thing I know, the EMTs showed up, and we unlocked the doors and let them take it from there.

To be honest, if this happened to my family or friends, I’d be freaking out. But the whole time, I was 100 percent calm because I wanted to keep him calm, even though I didn’t know if whoever did this to him was still out there. I was completely fine until I didn’t have to do anything anymore. And then my heart started pounding. I was shaking and having a panic attack.

I don’t think what I did was a heroic thing; I think it’s a human thing. I would hope someone would do the same for me. I’m just glad he’s all right.”

Steve may not see himself as a hero, but I certainly do! We need more people like him in the world!