Oregon Teacher Schutz Speaks Out After Wrestling Shotgun From Teen Gunman

Cassidy Schutz, the Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who fought a teenage gunman inside a Bend, Oregon classroom, issued her first public statement Friday through Bend-La Pine Schools. The release came just over two weeks after the Oct. 15 attack left three children and one teacher dead. "There are no words to describe the depth of sadness I am feeling following the events of October 15th," Schutz said. "This is not a story. This is a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy, and it is our real lives."

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz previously said Schutz threw her cellphone at the shooter and then grappled with him for control of his shotgun. Schutz is a certified learning specialist at the school. In her statement, she asked for privacy while she recovers. "My focus is on these families, our team, our school, and my own healing," she said. "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."

Police said a 16-year-old former student entered the building and opened fire in a classroom serving students with special needs. The dead include teacher Megan Lambert, 25, along with 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and two other children, ages 8 and 11.

Another teacher, Becky Drury, and a 7-year-old girl were wounded and survived. Drury told Fox News Digital that she spotted the gunman and moved to shut her classroom door, but was shot before she could close it. She sustained injuries to both arms and lay still to avoid a second shot. Kaylub Giamanco, 36, then shot and killed the attacker.

Schutz said she wishes "with everything in me that we had more time." She added: "The pain of this loss I will carry with me forever."