Friends remembers teacher killed in Bend school shooting: ‘Genuine love and care’

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Remembering Megan.

“The kindness and the open-heartedness, the genuine love and care for the people around her -- it shows,” said Dudley’s Bookshop Café employee, Mason Smith.

The Bend Police Department says 25-year-old Megan Lambert was one of four victims — and the only adult -- killed in the mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday. The 25-year-old started working as a special education teacher at the elementary school this year. But those who knew her say her love for people reached beyond the classroom.

“She used this as a space to read her books, do her lesson plans, etcetera. And that alone is nice to know that she had a spot here, a safe space here,” Smith said.

Lambert’s best friends are honoring her with help from Dudley’s Bookshop Café in Bend where a makeshift memorial has been set up.

“We’re all going through it, and if we can shed a little bit of light and give her, you know, just a spot that reminds a community of her, gives her memory, that’s what we wanted to do,” said Smith.

Flowers, notes filled with love, and even her favorite drink -- an iced matcha -- now fill the space upstairs at Dudley’s.

“Don’t feel obligated to spend money. Don’t feel like you have to buy a book or buy coffee. Drop off flowers if you feel like it’s something you want to do; leave a note. If this space here is something you need, you just need to get away, please come here and sit here,” Smith said.

Follow this link to help families impacted by the shooting.