BEND, Ore. — A 16-year-old armed with a shotgun killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Thursday before being stopped by a teacher and a passing father, officials said. The attack unfolded just before 1 p.m. on picture day at the school, which is located in central Oregon.
Authorities identified the shooter as Griffin J. John II, a former special education student at Silver Rail who lived nearby with his mother, Shauntai May Nickerson. The weapon used was a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun registered to Ms. Nickerson. According to police, the teenager approached the school by foot, entering through a side area near an undeveloped, wooded lot adjacent to the building rather than the front entrance, which had enhanced security features.
A man driving a red pickup truck witnessed the suspect throwing the shotgun over a fence and then climbing it. When the man confronted the teenager verbally, the suspect fired multiple shots at the truck but did not hit the driver. The teen then entered the school by shooting through glass panels near the playground side doors and proceeded to a special education classroom. Inside, he fatally shot three children, aged 5, 8, and 11, along with 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert. Another teacher and a 7-year-old girl were wounded.
A different teacher in the classroom reportedly threw a cellphone at the shooter and tackled him. At that moment, Kaylub Giamanco, a father of two Silver Rail students, arrived after witnessing the pickup truck being shot at. Mr. Giamanco entered the school and fired multiple times with a legally owned .40-caliber handgun, fatally wounding the assailant, who was carrying additional ammunition.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz praised the courage of those who intervened, highlighting the heroism that prevented further loss of life. The suspect's death was confirmed, but Chief Krantz said he would refrain from repeating his name.
The tragic event has left the Bend community in mourning. Bend, a city known for outdoor recreation and a relatively low crime rate, experienced a similar shooting incident in 2022, intensifying local anguish. Schools across the district briefly entered lockdown following the attack, with many families seeking counseling and mental health support. A candlelight vigil drew thousands on Thursday night, and city officials canceled school and recreational programs on Friday to accommodate community gatherings and support services.
Silver Rail principal and school district officials have committed to reviewing security protocols. While the school features an updated front entrance designed to limit unauthorized access, the suspect entered through a less secure side area. The school resource officer, assigned to multiple district campuses, was not present at Silver Rail during the incident.
The wounded 7-year-old girl remains in serious but stable condition at a Portland children’s hospital. She was reportedly shielded from gunfire by special education teacher Becky Drury, who sustained a gunshot wound to her arm but is expected to survive.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the motive behind the shooting and how the suspect obtained the firearm and ammunition. Investigators have searched the suspect’s home and seized electronic devices. Ms. Nickerson expressed shock and sorrow, saying she was unaware of any warning signs and would have done anything to prevent the tragedy.
The school remains closed as the scene is secured for further inquiry, with officials pledging a thorough review of the circumstances that allowed the attack and measures to improve safety going forward.