In brief
On 15 October, a 16‑year‑old former student opened fire inside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing two younger students, an older teacher, and the gunman was later shot dead by a parent. Teacher Becky Drury was shot while trying to close her classroom and later explained that she pretended to be dead to avoid further harm. She suffered severe injuries yet survived, while another teacher attempted to disarm the gunman with her phone. The incident has reignited calls for stricter gun control and better school safety measures.
On 15 October, a 16‑year‑old former student opened fire inside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
The attacker killed five‑year‑old Rhoam Summer, an eight‑year‑old and an eleven‑year‑old student, as well as 25‑year‑old teacher Megan Lambert before being shot dead by a parent who followed him into the school.
Teacher Becky Drury, who had just been closing her special‑education classroom, was shot as she tried to shut the door. She later told reporters she feigned death to avoid further bullets.
Drury suffered severe injuries, including a nearly severed left hand and a badly damaged right arm, but managed to survive the attack. A fellow teacher, whose name has not been released, threw her cell phone at the gunman in an attempt to disarm him.
Contrary to some early reports, Drury was not able to shield the children; she was shot before she could act. She clarified that she was unconscious and unable to defend herself when the shooting ended.
Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooter, who was identified as a special‑education student. The incident has reignited calls for stronger gun‑control measures and improved school safety protocols.
“Her heart is broken for everyone affected,” Drury said, emphasizing the community’s collective grief and the need for support and healing.
