Bend Teacher Breaks Silence After Fighting School Gunman

A teacher who confronted an armed teenager during a deadly school shooting in Bend, Oregon, has publicly addressed the tragedy for the first time. Cassidy Schutz, a certified learning specialist at Silver Rail Elementary School, released a statement through Bend-La Pine Schools on Friday, October 30, reflecting on the October 15 attack that killed four people.

Schutz was identified as the educator who threw her cellphone at the 16-year-old gunman before physically confronting him and attempting to take control of his shotgun, according to school officials and Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.

The shooting claimed the lives of teacher Megan Lambert, 25, and three boys, including Rhoam Summer, 5, and two other children, ages 8 and 11. Another teacher and a 7-year-old student were wounded but survived, according to reports from the incident.

In her first public response, Schutz described the emotional toll of the attack and expressed sympathy for the victims, their families and everyone affected by the violence.

"There are no words to describe the depth of sadness I am feeling following the events of October 15th. This is not a story. This is a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy, and it is our real lives.

My thoughts are with those who were lost, their families, those who were hurt, and those who were there that day. My heart is with you. It all happened so fast, and I wish with everything in me that we had more time.

The pain of this loss I will carry with me forever. There are no words for this unimaginable reality we are facing. My focus is on these families, our team, our school, and my own healing.

As I continue to navigate this, I ask that you please give me the time, space, and privacy I need to heal. I will not be making any additional public statements at this time," Schutz said in her statement.

Police Chief Krantz previously praised the educator's intervention during a briefing following the shooting. He said her decision to confront the attacker potentially prevented additional casualties.

"Almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed," Krantz said, describing the impact of the staff member's actions.

The attack began when the former student entered Silver Rail Elementary School and opened fire inside a classroom serving students with special needs, according to police. The teenager was subsequently fatally shot by Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father who entered the school after encountering the armed attacker.

Giamanco later acknowledged Schutz's actions and credited her confrontation with creating an opportunity for him to intervene. He discussed the incident in an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting the week before her statement was released.

"I would love to give her a hug because that's a real true hero," Giamanco said, expressing gratitude for Schutz's actions.

Another teacher, Becky Drury, also survived the attack despite suffering severe injuries to both arms. She had attempted to close her classroom door after noticing the gunman but was shot before she could prevent him from entering, according to her account to Fox News Digital.

Schutz was not injured during the confrontation, according to information previously provided by police. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing.