BEND, Ore. – A special-needs teacher and a student injured in Thursday’s deadly shooting at an Oregon elementary school were still hospitalized Saturday. Their survival offered a measure of hope to a community grieving four deaths.
Seven-year-old Saylor Graham, the youngest survivor, is a spirited and determined child with a gentle nature whose story has inspired other children, said Matt Sampson, executive director of Sparrow Clubs, where Saylor participated. She has a genetic disorder, typically uses a wheelchair and is nonverbal, but “she doesn’t even need words to connect with people,” Sampson said.
“She’s just an amazing spirit who immediately draws people to her, and you feel inspired when you meet Saylor,” Sampson said. “She’s always wearing these iconic glasses, whether they’re pink or red. She’s just such a cutie.”
Becky Drury, 54, was recovering at a Bend hospital Saturday after suffering wounds to her arm and hand. She hopes to return home soon, said family friend Zack Hall, who is acting as the family’s spokesperson.
Three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher were killed Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Authorities said 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former student, entered a special-needs classroom and opened fire with a shotgun.
As one teacher struggled with John over the weapon, the father of two students entered the classroom and shot him to death. The two men were credited with stopping the attack and saving many lives.
Police continued investigating John’s motive Saturday as devastated parents, teachers and community members gathered outside the school. They left flowers, prayed and mourned together.
Savannah Patton, whose children are in first and fourth grade at the school, sat on the grass across from a memorial of flowers, stuffed animals and balloons Saturday. She wiped tears from her eyes as she reflected on the tragedy.
Patton told an Associated Press reporter that Megan Lambert, the 25-year-old teacher who was killed, had substituted in her daughter’s classroom the previous year.
Patton said she has struggled to explain the shooting to her daughter, who asked, “Mommy, why would someone want to take a gun and kill us at school?” She said she did not know how to answer.
Physical challenges won’t keep her from “living with joy”
For several years, Saylor worked alongside Bend High School students through Sparrow Clubs, a volunteer organization whose mission is to empower “kids to help kids in medical need” through kindness and community service, according to its website.
In a video posted on the Sparrow Clubs website, Saylor introduces herself and says she enjoys watching “Bluey” and spending time with other children, especially her brother. She explains that physical and cognitive challenges affect her, but that she communicates through her eyes and a computer tablet.
“I prove every day that I’m a fighter who doesn’t give up,” she wrote in the video. “Living with CASK-related challenges is full of unknowns, which can be very hard and scary for my whole family,” she said. “But it doesn’t keep me from smiling, laughing and living with joy!”
Several high school students who worked with Saylor said their time helping her reminded them that humanity and compassion still exist in the world.
Saylor was taken to a Portland hospital after the shooting. A GoFundMe campaign for her family had raised nearly $400,000.
“We will not let her name be forgotten”
Devon Johnson visited the memorial outside the school Saturday morning. Her husband teaches at Bend High School, and she coaches volleyball at High Desert Middle School, connecting them closely with many staff members at the elementary school.
“It’s just hard to take in,” Johnson said. “I’m so glad to see Bend rallying and wrapping its arms around this community, but it’s going to take a long time to get through this.”
Heidi Wood, director of the Central Oregon Volleyball Club where Lambert coached, described her in a social media post as “an amazing coach,” “an amazing teacher” and “an amazing person who would do anything” for her students.
“To the shooter, she would have given you the shirt off her back,” Wood said. “But you didn’t give her a chance.”
Wood said that Lambert wouldn’t take her volleyball coaching pay in her first year so the money could be used for scholarships for players who couldn’t afford to play instead.
“That was her, and that is her,” Wood said. “We will carry on her love, her passion and we will not let her name be forgotten.”
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Bellisle reported from Seattle. Associated Press writer Haven Daley contributed to his report.
