In brief
When a 16‑year‑old former student opened fire in a special‑needs class at Silver Rail Elementary, a teacher tackled the gunman and wrestled the shotgun away. A nearby father, armed with a concealed pistol, ran into the classroom and shot the assailant multiple times, stopping further bloodshed. Police confirmed the suspect’s name as Griffin J. John II and reported he fired 15 shots before being killed. Four victims were confirmed, including a 5‑year‑old child and a 25‑year‑old teacher. The state’s leaders praised the brave actions of the teacher and the father—though the latter has requested privacy.
A calm school bell rang just before tragedy struck. In the special‑needs classroom at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, a 16‑year‑old former student, Griffin J. John II, fired a shotgun into a group of students and teachers, killing three children and their teacher.
When the gunman opened fire, a teacher—whose name is withheld for privacy—tossed her mobile phone at him, then tackled him on the floor, wrestling a shotgun out of his hands. Despite her fierce struggle, the boy began shooting through a window and fled inside the building.
Apassing father of two girls at the school, Kayleb Giamanco—a local carpenter—saw the attack from the parking lot. He was carrying a legally concealed .40‑caliber pistol, gripped it in his hand, and sprinted into the classroom. He fired at the gunman “multiple times” and ended the shooting, killing the suspect but leaving him severely wounded before he died.
Police said the teenager had about 44 rounds of shotgun ammunition and fired at least 15 shots before Giamanco’s intervention. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz released the suspect’s name at a press briefing and noted, “To the people who showed courage in the face of such violence, we owe you a debt of gratitude.”
The victims were identified as five‑year‑old Rhoam Summer, 25‑year‑old teacher Meghan Lambert, an eight‑year‑old girl and an 11‑year‑old boy whose families asked for privacy. Another teacher, aged 54, was transported to a hospital, and a seven‑year‑old student remained in a serious but stable condition.
National leaders praised the heroism of Giamanco and the teacher. President Donald Trump called the father “a great hero,” and Governor Kate Kotek acknowledged their “heavy emotional burden” while thanking them for preventing a greater tragedy.
Local communities mourned, holding candlelit vigils and setting up a makeshift memorial outside the school. Police continued a search at the suspect’s home, investigating how he obtained the weapon and seeking motives for the shooting.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for gun‑control measures, especially in schools, as residents reflect on the fragile safety of their children.
