Silver Rail teacher threw phone at shooter before wrestling for shotgun

Cassidy Schutz threw her cellphone at the shooter before wrestling him for the shotgun during the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting on Oct. 15. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed the physical actions taken by the certified learning specialist during the attack.

Bend-La Pine Schools released Schutz’s first public statement on Friday. The district shared the text to update families and staff on the teacher’s condition and intentions regarding public comments.

The shooting resulted in four deaths: Teacher Megan Lambert, 25, and three students. The victims were Rhoam Summer, 5, and two other children, ages 8 and 11. The 16-year-old shooter, a former student, was also killed by police. Two others survived the gunfire: teacher Becky Drury and a 7-year-old girl.

Schutz said the events unfolded with little time to react. She described the day as a "horrific and heartbreaking tragedy" rather than a story. She expressed sadness for those lost, injured, and present during the attack.

Her statement noted that she wished for more time to act. She said the pain of the loss is something she will carry for a long period. She focused her thoughts on the families involved and the school team.

Schutz asked for time, space, and privacy to heal. She stated she will not make additional public statements at this time. Her focus remains on her own recovery and the well-being of the school community.

The attack began when the shooter entered the elementary school and fired into a special needs classroom. Police credited Schutz and Kaylub Giamanco, the father of one of the students, with working together to take down the armed teen. Their actions helped save other lives in the building.