An Oregon elementary school teacher who was critically injured in a mass shooting has revealed how she pretended to be dead to avoid being shot again by a teenage gunman.
Becky Drury, 54, was shot at close range when a 16-year-old former pupil opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15. The attack killed three children and a fellow teacher, while Drury and another student sustained serious injuries.
In her first public statement about the shooting, Drury explained that she was left lying on the classroom floor, unable to move or defend herself, after encountering the attacker.
“I did the only thing I could do, which was to pretend to be dead in the hope he would not shoot me again,” she said.
Gunman Shot Drury Before She Could React
Drury said she went to investigate after noticing a disturbance outside her classroom. She then saw the gunman and immediately tried to return to the room.
However, the attacker was already at the door when she turned to close it.
“Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground,” she recalled.
The gunfire caused devastating injuries to both her arms. Drury said her left hand was almost completely severed, while her other arm was also severely wounded.
“I could not get up, defend myself, or protect anyone else,” she said.
With the shooter still nearby, she remained motionless on the floor, hoping he would believe she was dead and leave her alone.
Teacher Speaks Out to Correct Reports About Her Actions
Drury said she decided to share her account because she wanted the events of the shooting, particularly her actions during the attack, to be reported accurately.
She acknowledged that contradictory accounts had circulated about what happened inside the school but insisted that she had been shot before she had an opportunity to act.
“I know there has been contradictory reporting about my actions that day, but the truth is I was shot before I had any chance to act,” she wrote.
Her account describes how quickly the encounter unfolded and how her injuries left her unable to intervene or help others in the classroom.
Three Children and Teacher Meghan Lambert Killed
The shooting claimed the lives of three pupils, aged five, eight and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert.
The youngest victim, five-year-old Rhoam Summer, was identified by his father. A seven-year-old student was also seriously injured, while Drury was among those who survived with severe wounds.
The attack began when the gunman, identified by authorities as Griffin J. John II, fired through the school’s locked entrance doors before entering the building.
Police said the former student went into a special needs classroom and opened fire.
The shooting took place on a day when pupils were having their school photographs taken, leaving the school community and families of the victims devastated.
Armed Bystander Ends the Attack
The rampage ended after 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, an armed bystander, followed the gunman into the school and shot him dead.
Investigators identified John as the person responsible for the attack. Authorities had not publicly established a motive in the information released.
The deaths of the three children and Lambert, together with the injuries suffered by survivors, have left the Bend community mourning the victims.
Drury Pays Tribute to Victims and Their Families
In her statement, Drury expressed sympathy for the victims, their relatives, the school and the wider community.
“What happened in that classroom was unimaginable, and like so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” she said.
She also thanked those who had offered support as she and others faced the difficult recovery ahead.
Drury asked for privacy for those affected and urged journalists to rely on trusted members of the community when reporting on the shooting.
“Accurate, respectful reporting is a truly important service that will help heal the wounds inflicted by that awful day,” she said.
Fundraiser Launched to Support Drury’s Recovery
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover Drury’s medical expenses as she recovers from her injuries.
Her statement also highlighted the continuing challenges facing survivors and the school community following the attack.
Drury said her thoughts remained with those who were injured, the people who died and their families as the community began dealing with the aftermath of the shooting.
