Silver Rail teacher releases first statement after Oct. 15 shooting

Cassidy Schutz issued her first public remarks Friday regarding the Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary.

Schutz, a certified learning specialist at the Oregon school, is credited by police with preventing further casualties during the attack. She stated that the events of that day resulted in a profound sense of sadness. Schutz described the incident as a real and heartbreaking tragedy rather than a story. She asked the community to allow her time, space, and privacy to heal. She said she will not make any additional public statements at this time.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz described Schutz’s actions during the shooting as heroic. He explained that she threw her cell phone at the 16-year-old attacker and tackled him. This struggle created an opening for Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old bystander, to fatally shoot the teen. Giamanco told OPB on Oct. 23 that he credited Schutz with giving him the chance to make his shot without losing his own life. He expressed a desire to give her a hug because she is a true hero.

The shooting on Oct. 15 killed three students and one teacher. Hundreds attended a memorial service earlier this week for Megan Lambert, a Silver Rail teacher who died in the attack. Becky Drury, a teaching assistant at the school, was also seriously wounded that day. Drury is recovering from a fourth surgery to reconstruct her arm. Her husband, Will, thanked donors on her GoFundMe page for their generosity. He stated his hope that this will be her final surgery.

Schutz’s full statement acknowledged the pain she will carry forever. She expressed focus on the families, the school team, and her own healing process. The district released the statement on her behalf.