BEND, United States — A 16-year-old Oregon school gunman used a shotgun purchased by his mother to kill three children and a teacher at an elementary school.
Griffin J. John II, a former pupil of Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, entered a special education classroom and opened fire before being shot dead by a parent who intervened.
The attack on Thursday, October 15, 2026, killed three boys aged five, eight, and 11, and teacher Megan Lambert, 25.
A seven-year-old pupil and another teacher, Becky Drury, 54, were seriously injured.
Investigators are examining how the teenager obtained the shotgun and why he targeted a school he previously attended.
Authorities are
Mother Bought Shotgun Used in Attack
Law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation confirmed to the Associated Press and CBS News that the weapon used in the killings had been purchased by John’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson.
Police identified it as a Maverick 88 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.
Investigators recovered approximately 44 unused rounds of ammunition from the teenager after the shooting.
Authorities have not established how he gained access to the firearm or whether it had been given to him.
Nickerson, speaking outside her home, apologised to the families of those killed.
“I miss my boy,” she said. “I’m so sorry, I wish I could have done something. I’m sorry for their loss.”
She described her son as a good boy but declined to explain how he obtained the weapon.
Under Oregon law, minors may possess shotguns under certain circumstances involving parental consent.
Authorities have not announced any charges against Nickerson.
Teacher and Parent Confronted Gunman
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said John climbed over a fence surrounding the school after throwing his weapon onto the grounds.
He fired at a passing pickup truck before shooting through the glass panels of locked entrance doors.
Once inside, he entered a classroom serving pupils with special educational needs and fired as many as 15 rounds.
A teacher threw her mobile phone at the gunman before tackling him and attempting to take his weapon.
Kaylub Giamanco, 36, whose two daughters attend the school, witnessed the attack and followed the teenager into the building with his legally possessed pistol.
He shot and killed John while the teenager struggled with the teacher.
Krantz praised both adults, saying their actions had probably prevented further deaths.
Police Investigate Motive
John had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary and received special education services.
However, he was no longer enrolled in the Bend-La Pine school district when the shooting occurred.
A law enforcement official told Oregon Public Broadcasting that the teenager had no known previous juvenile criminal history.
Police searched his family’s home and are examining electronic devices and other evidence for possible clues.
“Everyone wants to know why, including us,” Krantz said. “We may never get that full answer, but we want it.”
The FBI is assisting the investigation.
Meanwhile, residents have gathered at memorials outside the school to mourn the victims.
Lambert, who had recently begun teaching, was remembered by her family as a dedicated educator who cared deeply for children with disabilities.
The youngest victim, five-year-old Rhoam Summer, was described by relatives as an energetic child who loved reading and animals.
The names of the other two children killed have not been publicly released at their families’ request.
Silver Rail Elementary remains closed as investigators continue examining the scene.
