Oregon school shooting linked to family history of violence and abuse

At Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Griffin J. John II forced his way into a special-education room and shot his way through the door with his mother’s shotgun, killing three children—5-year-old Rhoam Summer, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old—and their 25-year-old teacher, Megan Lambert. The shooter’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, said she was sorry and missed him, but did not explain how he obtained the firearm. Their father, Griffin John, had a history of alcohol abuse, multiple jail stints and a prior domestic-violence arrest, for which he was released early from a 48-month sentence.

He had also faced earlier legal trouble in 2012 for alleged parole violations. Several relatives refused to speak, and one threatened a reporter with dogs when approached. The incident highlights a pattern of familial violence and firearm access within the household.