ReutersAn impromptu memorial at Silver Rail Elementary School, the day after a shooting, in Bend, Oregon, U.S., October 16, 2026.
Police have identified a teenager accused of gunning down several children and a teacher at an elementary school in Oregon on Thursday (Oct. 14) as Griffin J John II, a former student at the school, officials said Friday. The 16-year-old had attended the special needs classroom, which he targeted at the Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. Victims of the deadly shooting included children aged 5, 8 and 11, and the teacher and volleyball coach Megan Lambert, 25.
At a press conference on Friday, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the gunman shot at a vehicle several times before climbing a property fence to enter the school premises. The attacker shot through a locked door to get entry into the school around 1 pm (local time) and fired 15 rounds in all.
The gun used by the shooter, a Mossberg Maverick 88, had been purchased by his mother in August. He had another 44 rounds of ammunition in his possession, police said.
Steven Cook, superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, said John was not enrolled in the local public school system at the time of the incident. The shooter’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, told reporters outside her home: "I’m so sorry, I wish I could have done something."
One teacher threw her phone at the gunman, then tackled and fought him, likely saving lives, police chief Krantz said. She was not injured. Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father who has two children at the school, shot the attacker dead minutes after the first 911 call was made. President Donald Trump has described Giamanco as a "great hero."
A search warrant was executed at the shooter's house on Friday as officials collected evidence to determine the motive behind the crime and other factors. Police have not publicly identified a motive as yet.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler condemned the incident at a community vigil hours after the tragedy occurred. "There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today," Kebler said.
The Oregon shooting marks the 28th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. At least a hundred incidents of gunfire on school grounds have taken place in the US this year, with 34 deaths, as per The Everytown for Gun Safety group.
Gunman fired 15 rounds
At a press conference on Friday, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the gunman shot at a vehicle several times before climbing a property fence to enter the school premises. The attacker shot through a locked door to get entry into the school around 1 pm (local time) and fired 15 rounds in all.
The gun used by the shooter, a Mossberg Maverick 88, had been purchased by his mother in August. He had another 44 rounds of ammunition in his possession, police said.
Steven Cook, superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, said John was not enrolled in the local public school system at the time of the incident. The shooter’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, told reporters outside her home: "I’m so sorry, I wish I could have done something."
One teacher threw her phone at the gunman, then tackled and fought him, likely saving lives, police chief Krantz said. She was not injured. Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father who has two children at the school, shot the attacker dead minutes after the first 911 call was made. President Donald Trump has described Giamanco as a "great hero."
A search warrant was executed at the shooter's house on Friday as officials collected evidence to determine the motive behind the crime and other factors. Police have not publicly identified a motive as yet.
'Simply no words'
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler condemned the incident at a community vigil hours after the tragedy occurred. "There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today," Kebler said.
The Oregon shooting marks the 28th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. At least a hundred incidents of gunfire on school grounds have taken place in the US this year, with 34 deaths, as per The Everytown for Gun Safety group.
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