Oregon Teacher Speaks After Confronting School Gunman

Cassidy Schutz said the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary unfolded quickly and left her grieving for the victims and the school community. In her first public statement, released by Bend-La Pine Schools on October 30, she described the event as a real-life tragedy and said she would carry the loss with her. She asked for time and privacy to heal and said she would not make further public comments for now.

Schutz, a trained education specialist, hurled her cellphone at the 16-year-old gunman and fought with him over his shotgun during the October 15 attack. Police Chief Mike Krantz previously said her actions almost certainly helped prevent further bloodshed. A parent who chased the gunman into the school shot him dead.

The shooting took place in a classroom serving students with special needs. Three children and teacher Megan Lambert, 25, were killed. Another student and a teacher were wounded. Schutz said her thoughts were with those killed, their families, the injured and everyone present that day, while she focuses on the families, school staff and her recovery.