The Bend-La Pine Schools district in Oregon is mourning the loss of three young students and a special education teacher killed in a mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, while publicly praising two staff members who put themselves in harm's way during the attack.
In a social media post on Saturday, the district said its «hearts are broken» and expressed gratitude for the courage of the educator and staff member who risked their lives. «They responded to an attack on their school in a way for which we are forever grateful,» the district said.
Among the victims was Megan Lambert, 25, a special education teacher who had just joined the district this fall for her first teaching job. The district remembered her as a bright light for her «students, family, and our community,» adding that «she will be missed beyond words can express.»
The district also praised Becky Drury, an inclusion educational assistant who was injured during the attack and is recovering. «We continue to wrap our arms around Becky Drury,» the post stated. In addition, the district said a learning specialist responded with «extraordinary courage and engaged directly with the shooter,» and that officials are «so thankful for her safety and forever in her debt.»
The shooting has devastated Bend, a community about 170 miles south of Portland. On Saturday, residents gathered near the school to mourn Lambert and the three young victims: 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and two other children, ages 8 and 11, whose families requested their names not be publicly disclosed. A 7-year-old girl and Drury were injured and are recovering, according to police.
At a growing sidewalk memorial outside Silver Rail Elementary, mourners left flowers, offered prayers, and wrote messages of support in chalk.
Community members and authorities have also commended Kaylub Giamanco, 36, a father of two Silver Rail students who intervened during the attack. Giamanco was on his lunch break when he saw the teenage gunman entering the building with a shotgun. He retrieved a legally secured.40-caliber pistol from his car, pursued the shooter into the school, and fatally shot him.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz praised the rapid response of both citizens and staff, while highlighting an unnamed teacher who confronted the gunman directly by throwing a cellphone and tackling him. «The teacher... was willing to stand and fight for her children,» Krantz said Friday. «I think we all recognize that that is true heroism. She almost certainly helped avoid more bloodshed.»
The district's statement and the community's response reflect a focus on the victims and those who acted to protect students, as investigators continue to piece together the events of the attack.