BEND (Azat TV) – A teacher wounded in the October 15, 2026, mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, released her first public statement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to correct widespread media inaccuracies regarding her actions during the attack. Becky Drury, who sustained severe injuries while attempting to secure her special education classroom, clarified that she had no opportunity to shelter or protect her students before being shot at close range.
The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary left three children—ages 5, 8, and 11—and a staff member dead, while another student sustained critical injuries. The gunman, identified by law enforcement as 16-year-old former student Griffin J. John II, forced his way into the K-5 building using a pump-action shotgun. As districts across the area resumed classes on Wednesday with heightened police presence, Drury’s statement offered a firsthand account to dispel heroic narratives circulated in the media.
Direct Account and Correcting the Record
According to a statement provided to Oregon Public Broadcasting by a family friend, Drury explained that she initially rushed to investigate disturbances outside her classroom. Upon spotting the armed intruder, she immediately retreated to secure the room.
“I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there,” Drury stated. “Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground.”
Drury noted that her left hand was nearly severed and her right arm severely wounded by the gunfire. Unable to stand or defend anyone, she resorted to playing dead in the hope the attacker would not fire again. She explicitly rejected reports suggesting she threw herself over a student to shield them, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting.
Investigation and Community Recovery
While survivors and families navigate the aftermath, the Bend Police Department confirmed that district schools, excluding Silver Rail, reopened on Wednesday with dozens of officers stationed across campuses to welcome students back. Investigators continue to process evidence from the attack, including executing search warrants on the suspect’s residence, digital devices, and online profiles.
Authorities have confirmed that the shotgun used in the shooting was legally acquired, though investigations remain ongoing regarding how the minor obtained the firearm. Police previously noted that another heroic teacher inside the school threw a phone at the gunman and tackled him, an intervention that likely averted further casualties before a civilian father shot the attacker.
Drury concluded her public remarks by urging media outlets to rely on verified community voices. She emphasized that respectful and precise coverage remains essential in helping the grieving community heal through an arduous recovery process.
Broader Context of the Investigation
As federal and local law enforcement agencies press forward with their inquiries, senior officials have indicated that investigators are examining whether the shooter consumed extremist online material, including content tied to nihilistic violent extremism. This aspect of the probe remains central as authorities try to map out any external influences or precursors to the violence at Silver Rail Elementary.
The community continues to grapple with profound grief, with memorial sites drawing hundreds of mourners while school officials coordinate support services for affected families and staff. The long road to recovery for survivors like Drury underscores the lasting physical and emotional toll exacted by the shooting.