BEND, Ore. — Nov. 1, 2026 — Cassidy Schutz, a Silver Rail Elementary School teacher was credited with helping stop a gunman during a deadly school shooting in Bend, Oregon. She spoke publicly for the first time about the Oct. 15 attack that killed three students and a fellow teacher.

Schutz said the tragedy has left her and the school community devastated as families prepare for the difficult process of returning to the campus.

"It all happened so fast, and I wish with everything in me that we had more time," Schutz, a certified learning specialist at Silver Rail Elementary, said in a statement released Friday through the Bend-La Pine School District.

Schutz's actions during the shooting were described by Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz as heroic. According to the police chief, the teacher threw her cellphone at the gunman and physically tackled him in an attempt to wrestle away his firearm.

Teacher Confronted Gunman as Shooting Unfolded

Her intervention occurred before a parent at the school, identified as Kaylub Giamanco, fatally shot the attacker.

Krantz said Schutz's actions "almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed."

The shooting, which unfolded inside a special education classroom, left three students and one teacher dead. Another student and another teacher were injured. Schutz was not injured, according to police.

The attack sent shock waves through Bend, a community in central Oregon now facing the difficult task of supporting grieving families, injured survivors and students who witnessed the violence.

According to police accounts, Schutz acted as the gunman opened fire inside the special needs classroom. Rather than retreating, she attempted to disrupt the attack by throwing her cellphone at the shooter before rushing toward him.

She then struggled with the gunman in an effort to take control of the firearm.

Police credited her intervention with potentially preventing additional casualties.

Hero Teacher Cassidy Schutz Identified

The teacher's actions were initially described publicly without identifying her. More than a week after the shooting, Schutz came forward through a statement issued by the school district.

Her statement offered a glimpse into the emotional toll of the attack while emphasizing that the tragedy extends far beyond the headlines.

"There are no words to describe the depth of sadness I am feeling following the events of October 15th," Schutz said.

"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."

Schutz also requested privacy as she begins the process of recovering from the traumatic experience.

"The pain of this loss I will carry with me forever," she said. "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."

Father Who Shot Gunman Praises Teacher's Courage

Another individual credited with stopping the attack was Kaylub Giamanco, a parent who was at the school when the shooting occurred.

Giamanco was carrying a legally secured .40-caliber pistol when he encountered the gunman and followed him into the school.

He ultimately shot and killed the attacker, bringing the immediate threat to an end.

In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Giamanco expressed gratitude toward Schutz for confronting the gunman before he fired the fatal shots.

He said he had not known the teacher's identity at the time but wanted an opportunity to thank her personally.

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

Heros Saved Lives

His comments underscored the importance of Schutz's intervention during the chaotic moments of the attack.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook also recognized the contributions of both Schutz and Giamanco.

"I believe your actions saved lives," Cook said.

The two individuals responded in different ways, but both were credited by school and law enforcement officials with helping bring the shooting to an end and potentially preventing additional deaths.

Three Students and a Teacher Killed in Oct. 15 Attack

The shooting claimed the lives of three students and one teacher, leaving families and the broader Bend community struggling with the aftermath.

The attack also injured another student and another teacher.

Investigators and school officials have faced the difficult task of addressing the immediate consequences of the violence while supporting those affected.

A makeshift memorial outside Silver Rail Elementary became a gathering place for community members seeking to honor the victims.

Residents also gathered for a candlelight vigil at Drake Park on the evening of Oct. 15.

Flowers, messages and other tributes reflected the grief of families and neighbors who continue to mourn those killed.

For students who survived, the return to school presents challenges beyond the ordinary transition back into classrooms. The shooting occurred in a familiar learning environment, transforming a place associated with education and childhood into the scene of a devastating act of violence.

Silver Rail Elementary Plans November Reopening

While other schools in the Bend-La Pine School District returned to classes during the week following the shooting, Silver Rail Elementary remained closed.

The district announced that the school would remain closed through Nov. 6 while repairs were completed in areas affected by the attack.

District officials also began gathering feedback from families about the reopening process.

According to the district, 86.2% of families indicated a preference to return to Silver Rail Elementary.

Based on that feedback, officials said they planned to reopen the school for students and families who felt ready to return.

The decision reflects the difficult balance between restoring normal educational services and recognizing that some children and families may need additional time before returning to the building.

School officials have also taken additional security measures throughout the district.

A police officer was present at each school when classes resumed following the shooting. A team of eight school resource officers will continue rotating among district schools.

The district has not suggested that these measures can eliminate every potential threat, but officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining a visible security presence as students return.

Community Meeting Planned to Address School Safety

Bend-La Pine Schools scheduled a community meeting for Nov. 5 to address questions about the shooting, school security and reopening plans.

The meeting is expected to give parents, students and other community members an opportunity to hear from school officials and raise concerns about the future of Silver Rail Elementary.

Questions about student support services, security procedures and the emotional impact of the shooting are likely to remain central to discussions as the reopening date approaches.

For families who lost children, the return of students to the building will not erase the tragedy.

For surviving students and teachers, returning to the classroom may represent an important step toward rebuilding a sense of stability, although the recovery process is likely to take much longer.

Schutz Says Her Focus Remains on Healing

Schutz's decision to speak publicly has brought attention to the courage displayed during the attack, but her statement made clear that she does not view the experience as a personal story of heroism.

Instead, she directed attention toward the students and teacher who died, their families, those who were injured and everyone who experienced the shooting.

Her request for privacy also reflects the emotional consequences of confronting a gunman and witnessing the deaths of members of a school community.

As Silver Rail Elementary prepares to reopen, Schutz and the families affected by the shooting face a long process of healing.

The teacher's actions during the attack have drawn recognition from police, school officials and the parent who helped stop the gunman.

But for the Bend community, the most important challenge now is supporting those who survived, remembering those who were lost and helping children feel safe returning to school.