In brief
On 15 October 2026, a 16‑year‑old former student opened fire in Bend, Oregon, killing three students and a teacher before a parent intervened. 54‑year‑old teacher Becky Drury survived by pretending to be dead after being shot and falling to the floor. She suffered severe but non‑life‑threatening injuries, including a near‑severed left hand. The attacker, Griffin J John II, was a special‑education student; authorities have not yet released a motive.
Some readers may find this article distressing.
On 15 October 2026, a 16‑year‑old former student opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three students and a teacher before a parent intervened and shot the assailant.
Becky Drury, 54, a specialist‑education teacher at the school, recounted that she tried to shut her classroom door when she was shot and fell to the floor. In a statement 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.”
Drury’s injuries included a near‑severed left hand and a severely wounded arm, but she survived. Police say no other teachers were injured; one teacher threw her phone to disarm the shooter, while another is believed to have shielded a child.
The attacker, identified as Griffin J John II, was a special‑education student at Silver Rail; authorities have not released a motive.
“Like so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” Drury said, emphasizing the unimaginable violence that unfolded in the classroom.
