Bend Elementary Shooting Leaves Four Dead, Community in Mourning
Police identified the shooter as Griffin J. John II, a 16‑year‑old who had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary’s special‑needs program. He broke the glass side door, entered a classroom he once attended, and fired as many as 15 rounds from a Maverick 88 pump‑action shotgun. The assault claimed the lives of three children—5‑year‑old Rhoam Summer, an 8‑year‑old, and an 11‑year‑old—as well as special‑education teacher Megan Lambert, 25. A 7‑year‑old girl and a 54‑year‑old staff member were injured but survived.
Witnesses say a teacher threw a cellphone at the gunman and attempted to wrestle the weapon away before being overpowered. The school’s district posted a statement expressing “hearts are broken” and gratitude for the staff member’s courage. The community gathered at a makeshift memorial outside the school, leaving flowers, chalk messages and prayers.
Kaylub Giamanco, 36, a father of two Silver Rail students, was on his lunch break when he saw the shooter. He retrieved a legally secured .40‑caliber pistol from his vehicle and entered the school, firing multiple rounds that killed the teenager. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz praised both the teacher’s bravery and Giamanco’s rapid response, noting the actions likely prevented further loss of life.
Investigators continue to examine how the shotgun entered John’s hands. Multiple reports indicate his mother purchased the weapon around his August birthday, a transaction that may have been legal under Oregon law that allows parental transfers to minors for hunting or target practice, provided the firearm is secured. State law requires firearms to be stored with trigger or cable locks in a locked container, but details of the storage situation have not been released.
The shooting is the deadliest K‑12 incident recorded by Education Week’s 2024 tracker, which logged 26 school shootings this year with 17 deaths nationwide. Local officials are reviewing security protocols, including the effectiveness of the glass‑door barrier that the shooter shattered.
Community leaders, educators and law‑enforcement officials say the tragedy underscores the need for balanced discussions on school safety, firearm storage, and the role of armed civilians in public spaces. As families grieve, the town of Bend remains united in honoring the victims and supporting those who survived.
