An educational assistant who the district says was with students in a classroom during a deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend has released her first public statement, saying she witnessed both darkness and extraordinary love on October 15.
Miah Hergert, an inclusion educational assistant, released a statement Sunday through the school district.
On Oct. 15, a 16-year-old armed with a shotgun killed three students and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend before a parent who had followed him onto campus shot and killed him inside a classroom, police said. The suspect was a former student at the school but was not enrolled in the district. Another teacher and a student in the classroom were also injured.
Hergert expressed grief for the families who lost loved ones, saying that their impact will live on in all of us and that she will forever carry their memory with her. She described the day as changing her life, happening so fast, and involving both darkness and love. She thanked those who saved her life. Working with the children, she said, brought back joy and innocence, and she came hoping to make a difference in their lives, never realizing how much they would change hers.
The Bend-La Pine School District announced that school will resume at Silver Rail Elementary for some students on Nov. 12.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This is the first public account from an educator who was present during the Oct. 15 shooting that killed four people and injured two others.
- The statement offers insight into the experience of those inside the classroom and the ongoing trauma felt by the school community.
- The resumption of classes on Nov. 12 marks a step toward normalcy for some students.
Background
The shooting on Oct. 15 involved a 16-year-old former student who was not enrolled in the district. The teenager used a shotgun to kill three students and a teacher, and was fatally shot by a parent who had followed him onto campus. Police have not released further details about the suspect's motive.
Key Perspectives
Miah Hergert: The educational assistant expressed gratitude for those who saved her life and described the day as life-changing. She said no words can ease the pain of the loss and that the community should find a way forward together.
What to Watch
- Whether the Bend-La Pine School District or police release further details about the investigation or any security changes.
- The response from families and the community as school resumes for some students.
- Any mental health or trauma support services provided to those affected.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedHergert released her first statement after the shooting.OPB: “An educator who survived the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School has released her first public statement.”
- SupportedHergert said, “no words can ease the pain.”OPB: ““No words can ease the pain of such an unimaginable loss.”
- SupportedThe district said Hergert was with students in the classroom during the shooting.OPB: “Miah Hergert, an inclusion educational assistant, was with students in the classroom when the shooting occurred, according to the Bend-La Pine Schools.”
- SupportedHergert released a statement Sunday through the school district.OPB: “Hergert released a statement Sunday through the school district.”
- SupportedPolice said a 16-year-old armed with a shotgun killed three students and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary.OPB: “On Oct. 15, a 16-year-old armed with a shotgun killed three students and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend”
- SupportedPolice said a parent who followed the shooter onto campus shot and killed him inside a classroom.OPB: “before a parent who had followed him onto campus shot and killed him inside a classroom, police said.”
- SupportedThe suspect was a former student at Silver Rail but was not enrolled in the district.OPB: “The suspect was a former student at the school but was not enrolled in the district.”
- SupportedAnother teacher and a student in the classroom were injured.OPB: “Another teacher and a student in the classroom were also injured.”
- SupportedThe district announced that school would resume at Silver Rail for some students on Nov. 12.OPB: “The Bend-La Pine School District announced that school will resume at Silver Rail Elementary school for some students on Nov. 12.”
- Partly supportedHergert said Oct. 15 changed her life, everything happened fast, and she witnessed darkness and extraordinary love.OPB: “October 15 changed my life forever. Everything happened so fast, I witnessed both unimaginable darkness and extraordinary love.”
- SupportedHergert expressed grief for the families who lost loved ones and said their impact would live on and she would carry their memory with her.OPB: “My heart aches for the families who lost their loved ones. No words can ease the pain of such an unimaginable loss. To those families, I hope you all know how deeply your loved ones were cherished and how their love and impact will live on in all of us. I will forever carry their memory with me.”
- SupportedHergert said working with the children brought back joy and innocence, and that she hoped to make a difference in their lives but did not realize how much they would change hers.OPB: “Working with these children has brought back the joy, innocence, and nostalgia of my own childhood. I came here hoping to make a difference in their lives, never realizing how much they would change mine.”