Bend Community Grieves After School Shooting Leaves Four Dead, Two Injured Survivors Hospitalized
Four children and a teacher were killed in a shotgun attack at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, while a special-needs student and a teacher remain hospitalized.
On Thursday, a 16-year-old former student entered a special-needs classroom at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, and began shooting with a shotgun, killing three children aged 5, 8 and 11 and substitute teacher Megan Lambert. The gunman was shot dead by a parent who rushed in to stop the attack. Two survivors—a 7-year-old student named Saylor Graham, who has a genetic disorder and uses a wheelchair, and 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury—remain hospitalized with injuries.
The community convened Saturday to mourn, placing flowers, stuffed animals and balloons at a memorial, while volunteers and local organizations such as Sparrow Clubs highlighted the resilience of the young survivor. A GoFundMe campaign for Saylor’s family has amassed almost $400,000. Parents and staff expressed grief and a resolve to remember the victims.
Why it matters
The shooting underscores ongoing school safety concerns and the community's need to support victims and families.
How this story developed
- Oct 15 Shooter wounded multiple people at Oregon elementary before being killed by police
- Oct 16 The reported death toll has been updated from initial figures to five, including the shooter.
- Oct 16 Investigators identified the shooter as John Griffin of Bend, Oregon.
- Oct 16 A 16-year-old former special-needs student opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, killing four and wounding two before being shot by a father of two students.
- Oct 17 Authorities have publicly identified the shooter as Griffin J. John II and the teacher victim as Megan Lambert.
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