Oregon school shooting: Teacher says she faked death after being shot

Becky Drury's first statement clarifies contradictory reports about her actions during the 15 October attack

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A teacher who survived the mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has said she pretended to be dead after being shot by the 16-year-old attacker, hoping he would not shoot her again. Becky Drury said in a statement that she tried to shut her classroom door but was shot before she could protect any children.

In her first remarks since the 15 October shooting, Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, described how she tried to shut her classroom door after spotting the gunman but was shot and fell to the floor. "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 said in a statement shared with US media.

Drury said she saw her left hand was almost completely severed and her other arm was severely injured. She said she could not get up, defend herself or protect anyone else. She suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The atacker, identified as Griffin J John II, a 16-year-old former student, killed three students, ages five, eight, and eleven, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert before a parent who had followed him into the school shot and killed him.

Drury said she wanted to clear the record about what happened, noting contradictory reporting about her actions. "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 said. Police have not yet shared a motive. Drury said her heart is broken for everyone affected by the tragedy.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The teacher's account provides the first detailed description of the attack from a survivor and clarifies that she was unable to act, addressing conflicting media reports.
The shooting, in which three young children and a teacher were killed, highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in U.S. schools and the role of armed bystanders.
The case may influence local and national debates on school security, gun laws, and mental health support for at-risk youth.

Background

On 15 October, a 16-year-old former student entered Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, and opened fire, killing four people and wounding a teacher. The attacker was fatally shot by a parent who had followed him into the school. Police have not disclosed a motive. The suspect was a special-education needs student at the school.

Key Perspectives

Becky Drury, teacher: She describes being shot before she could act and pretending to be dead to survive. She expresses heartbreak for the community. Authorities: Police have not yet publicized a motive and continue to investigate the shooting. Critics and commentators (implied): The case continues to fuel discussions about gun access, school safety, and mental health support.

What to Watch

The police report on the attacker's motive, which is expected to shed light on the incident.
State and federal legislative responses to the shooting.
The recovery and further statements from Becky Drury and other witnesses.

Sources

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedDrury said she pretended to be dead in the hope the attacker would not shoot her again.BBC News: “"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 said.”
SupportedDrury said she was shot before she had any chance to act, amid contradictory reporting about her actions.BBC News: “"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 said in her statement.”
SupportedDrury tried to shut her classroom door, was shot and fell to the floor before she could protect children.BBC News: “Drury said in a statement shared with US media that as she tried to shut her classroom door, the gunman shot her and she fell to the floor.”
SupportedDrury was 54 and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School.BBC News: “A 54-year-old teacher who survived a mass shooting at an Oregon elementary school said she pretended to be dead so the gunman would not shoot her again. Becky Drury, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School”
SupportedThe shooting took place on 15 October in Bend, Oregon.BBC News: “In her first remarks since the 15 October shooting in Bend, Oregon, Drury said”
SupportedDrury said her left hand was almost completely severed and her other arm was severely injured, and that she could not get up, defend herself or protect anyone else.OPB: “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.”
SupportedDrury suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.BBC News: “Drury suffered serious but not life-threatening harm from the shooting”
SupportedThe 16-year-old former student, Griffin J John II, killed three students aged five, eight and eleven, and teacher Megan Lambert, aged 25.BBC News: “the shooting, which killed five-year-old Rhoam Summer, an eight and eleven-year-old, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert.”
SupportedA parent who followed the attacker into the school shot and killed him.BBC News: “A father of two other children who had followed the suspect into the school then shot and killed the attacker, who officials named as Griffin J John II.”
SupportedPolice have not yet shared a motive for the suspect.BBC News: “Police have not yet shared a motive for the suspect”
SupportedDrury said her heart was broken for everyone affected by the tragedy.BBC News: “"[L]ike so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy," she said.”