A teacher who was injured during last Thursday’s school shooting in Bend, Oregon, said she tried to shut a classroom door before pretending to be dead in the hope that the gunman would not target her again.
Becky Drury made the remarks in a statement released to the media on Wednesday, as the Bend Police Department confirmed that the firearm used in the attack on Silver Rail Elementary, which left three children and one teacher dead, was “purchased legally.”
“Here is what I remember: Once I realized something was happening outside, I ran to see what was going on. I then saw the shooter and immediately ran back into the classroom. I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there. Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground,” Drury said.
“Lying on the floor, I saw that my left hand was almost completely severed from the gunshot, and my other arm was also severely injured. I could not get up, defend myself, or protect anyone else,” she added. “So, I did the only thing I could do, which was to pretend to be dead in the hope he would not shoot me again.”
Drury continued, “What happened in that classroom was unimaginable, and like so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” and her “thoughts are with those who were hurt, those we lost, their families, our school, and the Bend community.”
The Bend Police Department said on Wednesday that detectives are continuing a “complex investigation.”
“They have served search warrants at the shooting suspect’s home, as well as on his electronic devices and his social media accounts on a variety of platforms. That work continues, and it takes time,” the department said in a statement.
The 16-year-old shooter was “neutralized” by a good Samaritan, police said.
Bend-La Pine Schools began welcoming students back to their other schools on Wednesday following the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary.
“Heartfelt artwork and messages of love reminded our students and staff that they are surrounded by a community that cares deeply for them,” the school district said.