A teacher injured in the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has described pretending to be dead after being shot in an effort to survive. Becky Drury, 54, recounted in a recent statement that the shooter fired at her before she could respond during the attack that claimed four lives.

Drury said she initially became aware of the incident after noticing activity outside her classroom and ran to investigate. Upon seeing the gunman, identified by police as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, she quickly returned to the classroom and attempted to close the door, but the shooter was already inside. Before she could take further action, Drury said she was shot multiple times at close range and fell to the floor.

While lying wounded, Drury observed severe injuries to her left hand, which she described as nearly severed, and her other arm was also badly injured. Unable to move or defend herself and fearing for her life, she chose to feign death in the hope the assailant would not shoot her again.

“The only thing I could do was pretend to be dead,” Drury said in her statement. She also expressed sympathy for the victims and shared a desire to clarify reports regarding her response during the shooting.

Authorities reported that the shooting unfolded after the teenager forced his way into a classroom, killing three children and a teacher before being fatally shot by a bystander who pursued him inside the school. Police identified two of the deceased victims as Rhoam Summer, age 5, and Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher at the school.

Rhoam’s parents described their son as a loving child who enjoyed cuddling and singing to himself when upset. They said he loved dancing, sharing, and had a fondness for rainbows and unicorns. Lambert’s family said she was a native of Bend and had always dreamed of working at Silver Rail. They described her as compassionate, with a strong commitment to supporting students with special needs.

Drury was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to updates provided by her husband on a verified GoFundMe page, she has undergone multiple surgeries and will require additional procedures and extensive physical therapy to recover full use of her hand and arm. Progress noted includes the ability to move her fingers slightly, signaling hope for her physical rehabilitation.

A local youth nonprofit also identified 7-year-old Saylor Graham-Poarch as another injured individual from the incident.

The community continues to mourn the victims and support survivors as investigations and recovery efforts proceed.