(AP) – A teacher injured in last week’s attack on a special education classroom at an Oregon elementary school says she never had the chance to try to shelter the children inside.
In a statement released by a family friend, Becky Drury said Wednesday that she ran to see what was going on when she realized something was happening — but immediately saw the shooter and rushed to the classroom.
“I turned around to close the door behind me, but the shooter was already there,” Drury said. “Before I could do anything more, he shot me at point blank range and I fell to the ground.”
His left hand was almost severed by a gunshot, and his right arm was also hit. Unable to stand up, defend herself or others, she said, “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 – ages 5, 8 and 11 – and a teacher were killed last Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, when a former student, Griffin J. John II, 16, forced his way through locked doors with a shotgun and attacked the classroom. Another student was seriously injured.
Authorities said another teacher threw her phone at the shooter, then attacked and struggled with him for control of the gun, likely saving lives before the shooter was shot and killed by a father who followed him into the building.
Some reports had suggested that Drury threw herself on a student to protect her. Drury, who remains hospitalized, said she wants to set the record straight.
“Accurate and respectful reporting is a truly important service that will help heal the wounds inflicted by this terrible day,” she said.
School reopened Wednesday in the neighborhood for the first time since the shooting. Dozens of officers were at each school to greet the children, the Bend Police Department said.
In a social media post, the department said it was continuing its investigation into the attack, including serving search warrants on the attacker’s home, as well as his electronic devices and social media accounts on various platforms.
The statement said police confirmed the shotgun used in the attack was purchased legally. The Associated Press previously reported that it was purchased by the suspect’s mother, according to a law enforcement source who was not authorized to discuss the investigation. But investigators said they are still looking into how the boy got it.
Gn usa
