Oregon Teacher Speaks Two Weeks After Classroom Shooting

Three children and one teacher were killed on Oct. 15 when a 16-year-old former student entered Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, and opened fire inside a classroom serving students with special needs, Bend police said. The attack also left another teacher and a 7-year-old girl wounded.

Cassidy Schutz, a certified learning specialist at the school, released her first public statement Friday through Bend-La Pine Schools, just over two weeks after the shooting. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz previously credited Schutz with throwing her cellphone at the shooter and wrestling him for control of his shotgun during the attack.

In her statement, Schutz addressed the losses from that day. "There are no words to describe the depth of sadness I am feeling following the events of October 15th," she said. "This is not a story. This is a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy, and it is our real lives."

Schutz said her thoughts were with those who were lost, their families, those who were hurt, and those who were present that day. "It all happened so fast, and I wish with everything in me that we had more time," she said. "The pain of this loss I will carry with me forever." Schutz also asked for privacy while she continues to heal, saying her focus remains on the affected families, her team, her school and her own recovery, and that she would make no further public statements at this time.

The dead included teacher Megan Lambert, 25, along with 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and two other students, ages 8 and 11. Teacher Becky Drury and a 7-year-old girl were wounded and survived. Drury previously told Fox News Digital that she tried to close her classroom door after spotting the gunman but was shot before she could stop him from entering. She suffered injuries to both arms and later told the outlet she pretended to be dead to avoid another shot.

Drury's account also identified Kaylub Giamanco, 36, as the father who shot the attacker dead. Schutz's statement was issued through Bend-La Pine Schools on Friday, and she has asked not to be contacted for further comment.

Bend police have identified the gunman as a 16-year-old former student. The classroom where the shooting began served students with special needs.