Teacher describes harrowing moment she played dead after being shot in Oregon school shooting
A teacher who was shot in last week's shocking school shooting has spoken out for the first time about how she survived.
Becky Drury was shot by former student Griffin J John II, in the 16-year-old's senseless attack on Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon, which tragically saw three children and one teacher murdered.
Brave passerby Kalub Giamanco, who has two young children at the school, brought an end to the violence when he shot John dead at the scene, but by that point the killer had already claimed the lives of three young children and teacher Meghan Lambert.
Drury, meanwhile, was fortunate not to be added to the list of the dead after she was shot from close range in her classroom, which left her 'left hand almost completely severed'.
Advert
For the first time since the brutal 15 October shooting, the 54-year-old teacher has now spoken about how she 'played dead' in order to give herself the best chance of survival.
Her statement read: "I'd like to share my memories of what happened at Silver Rail Elementary because I want to make sure the events of that day and my actions in particular are reported accurately.
"Here is what I remember: Once I realised something was happening outside, I ran to see what was going on. I then saw the shooter and immediately ran back into the classroom. I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there. Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground.
"Lying on the floor, I saw that my left hand was almost completely severed from the gunshot, and my other arm was also severely injured. I could not get up, defend myself, or protect anyone else. So, I did the only thing I could do, which was to pretend to be dead in the hope he would not shoot me again."
Drury, who has been described as a 'beloved member of the school communities in Bend', also spoke out about the media reports about her actions on the day of the school shooting, as she was left powerless to stop the teenage attacker after she was shot.
She added: "I know there has been contradictory reporting about my actions that day, but the truth is I was shot before I had any chance to act.
"What happened in that classroom was unimaginable, and like so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy. My thoughts are with those who were hurt, those we lost, their families, our school, and the Bend community. I am truly grateful for the kindness and support we have received as we face the difficult days ahead together.
"We also ask for continued privacy and space as we continue down the long road of recovery."
A fundraiser has been set up to support Drury and her husband as they navigate her medical bills, although doctors have confirmed that while her injuries are serious, they are thankfully not life-threatening.
James Moorhouse