Oregon Teacher Recounts Being Shot in Special Needs Classroom: ‘I Played Dead’
Becky Drury, a 54-year-old special education teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon, is speaking out for the first time since she was critically wounded in a shooting last week. In a statement released Wednesday, Drury recounted the terrifying moments when a gunman opened fire in her classroom, shooting her before she had “any chance to act.” Drury, who remains hospitalized, described how she ran to see what was happening outside her classroom after hearing a commotion, only to spot the shooter. “I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there,” she wrote. She was shot and then played dead as the attack continued, a decision that likely saved her life.nnThe shooting also left another student critically injured. A fourth child, 7-year-old Saylor Graham, was shot and remains in critical condition. Drury, who has dedicated her career to teaching students with special needs, emphasized that she wanted to correct the record about the events of that day. “Accurate, respectful reporting is a truly important service that will help heal the wounds inflicted by that awful day,” she said. Her statement comes as authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting, which has shaken the tight-knit community of Silver Rail Elementary.nnDrury’s account provides a harrowing firsthand perspective on the violence that unfolded in a place meant to be a safe haven for children. As a special education teacher, she works with some of the most vulnerable students, and her classroom was described by colleagues as a space of patience and care. The shooting has left parents, staff, and students grappling with grief and fear, and many have rallied around the victims and their families. A motive for the school shooting currently remains unclear, and law enforcement has not released further details about the suspect or the weapon used.nnIn her statement, Drury expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and asked for privacy as she continues to recover. She also underscored the importance of responsible journalism in the aftermath of tragedy, saying that accurate reporting can aid in healing. “Accurate, respectful reporting is a truly important service that
Shimanta Das 
