Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher who survived a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, stated in a statement released Wednesday that she was shot before she could take defensive action. Drury, who suffered serious injuries to both arms and a nearly severed left hand, said she survived the October 15 attack by pretending to be dead after falling to the floor. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three children—ages 5, 8, and 11—and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert.
Police identified the suspect as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former student at the school. Investigators reported that the gunman fired through locked doors to enter a special needs classroom. The attack ended when Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father of two students, followed the shooter into the building and fatally shot him. According to the Associated Press, another teacher also grappled with the gunman for the weapon during the confrontation.
In her statement, Drury said she encountered the shooter while turning to shut her classroom door. She noted that her injuries prevented her from defending herself or others. Drury said she was sharing the account to address what she described as contradictory reporting regarding her actions during the incident. Another survivor, 7-year-old student Saylor Graham, was hospitalized in Portland following the shooting with serious injuries.
For residents and students in Bend, the immediate aftermath included the establishment of memorials at the site. The parents of one victim have hired attorneys to investigate the school's safety plans and the circumstances of the firearm purchase.
Reports noted a concealed carry ban at the school was in place when the armed bystander intervened. As the investigation into the 16-year-old suspect’s motive continues, the community remains in a period of mourning. Further updates are expected as the two hospitalized survivors recover and as law enforcement experts and local officials review the response and the actions of the armed citizen.