Teacher Wounded in Oregon School Shooting Says She Had No Chance to Protect Children

A teacher wounded in last week's attack on a special education classroom at an Oregon elementary school said she never had a chance to try to shelter any of the children inside.

In a statement issued by a family friend, Becky Drury said she ran to investigate a disturbance, but immediately encountered the shooter and retreated to the classroom.

“I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there,” Drury stated. “Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground.”

Drury sustained severe injuries to her left hand and was also struck in her right arm. Unable to move or defend herself or others, she said, “I did the only thing I could do, which was to pretend to be dead in the hope he would not shoot me again.”

Three children, aged 5, 8, and 11, and one teacher were killed at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, last Thursday. Authorities reported that a 16-year-old former student, Griffin J. John II, forced his way into a locked classroom with a shotgun and began the attack. Another student was critically injured.

According to authorities, another teacher intervened by throwing her phone at the gunman and then tackling him, engaging in a struggle for control of the weapon. This action is credited with potentially saving lives before a father, who pursued the gunman into the building, shot him.

Drury, who remains hospitalized, sought to correct some earlier news reports that had suggested she had thrown herself on top of a student to protect them.

“Accurate, respectful reporting is a truly important service that will help heal the wounds inflicted by that awful day,” she said.

The school reopened Wednesday for the first time since the shooting. The Bend Police Department reported that dozens of officers were present at each school to welcome students back.

The department stated it is continuing its investigation into the attack, which includes executing search warrants at the suspect's residence and examining his electronic devices and social media accounts.

Investigators have confirmed that the pump-action shotgun used in the attack was legally purchased. While a law enforcement source indicated to The Associated Press that the weapon was bought by the suspect's mother, investigators are still examining how the boy acquired it.