A teacher who was shot by a teenage gunman at a Bend, Oregon, elementary school last week said she saw the attacker and tried to close the classroom door, “but the shooter was already there.”
Becky Drury said she was shot at point-blank range during the rampage at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday.
“Lying on the ground, I saw that my left hand was almost completely severed by the gunshot, and that my other arm was also seriously injured,” Drury said in a statement Wednesday.
“I couldn’t stand up and defend myself or anyone else,” she said. “So I did the only thing I could do, which was pretend to be dead in the hopes that he wouldn’t shoot me again.”
Three children aged 5, 8 and 11, as well as a 25-year-old teacher, were killed in the attack which began around 1 p.m., authorities said.
The shooter was shot and killed by a passerby who saw him shoot at a truck and drive into the school, police said. The bystander followed the 16-year-old shooter and shot him as another teacher struggled with him for the gun, police said.
The motive remained under investigation Wednesday.
Investigators are looking into whether the shooter viewed extremist material online, including material associated with “nihilistic violent extremism,” also known as NVE, two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation told NBC News.
The gun was purchased legally, Bend police said in a statement Wednesday.
Police said it was a 12-gauge Maverick 88 shotgun and the shooter used birdshot, buckshot and bullets.
Police did not say who purchased the gun. Two senior law enforcement officials previously told NBC News that the shooter’s mother bought it in August, around the time of her birthday.
“Bend Police detectives are continuing this complex investigation. They have served search warrants on the suspect’s home, as well as his electronic devices and social media accounts on various platforms,” police said in a statement Wednesday.
“This work continues and it takes time,” police said.
Students in the larger Bend-La Pine Schools district returned to class Wednesday, but not at Silver Rail Elementary School, where the shooting took place.
“Through heartfelt artwork and messages of love, they are ensuring that every student who walks through the doors knows they are cared for, supported and loved,” the district said Tuesday as it prepared to welcome back most students.
Authorities publicly identified two of the slain victims, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and teacher Megan Lambert.
Drury, the injured teacher, said in her statement that she heard a noise last week and went to investigate.
“Here’s what I remember: Once I realized something was happening outside, I ran to see what was happening,” she said.
“I then saw the shooter and immediately ran towards the classroom. I turned around to close the door behind me, but the shooter was already there,” she said.
Drury said there was nothing more she could have done and “I was shot before I had a chance to act.”
“What happened in that classroom was unimaginable and, like so many others in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” she said.
“My thoughts are with those who were injured, those we lost, their families, our school and the Bend community,” she said. “I am truly grateful for the kindness and support we have received as we face the difficult days ahead together.”
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