Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Location
- Silver Rail Elementary School, Bend, Oregon, Bend, OR
- Investigating Agency
- Bend Police Department
- Suspect
- Griffin J. John II
- Suspect Age
- 16
- Victim Count
- 6
- Arrest Status
- Deceased
- Case Status
- Under investigation
BEND, Ore. - A 16-year-old gunman who killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend used a shotgun gifted to him by his mother, according to law enforcement sources reported by CBS News.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Griffin J. John II, carried out the fatal attack before a bystander shot and killed him inside the facility. Police confirmed that John was a former student at Silver Rail Elementary School.
Incident Overview
According to police statements, the incident began outside the school facility when the suspect opened fire at a passing pickup truck. The driver of the truck immediately dialed 911 to alert emergency dispatchers to the active gunfire.
Following the initial shots, the suspect forced entry into the school building by shooting through the glass panes of a set of double doors. Upon entering the building, the shooter proceeded directly into the first classroom located to the left of the entry doors. At the time of the breach, nine people were inside the classroom, comprising four adults and five children.
Once inside the classroom, the gunman opened fire, killing four victims and injuring two others. A 36-year-old Bend resident, Kaylub Giamanco, who had witnessed the initial shooting targeted at the pickup truck, followed the shooter into the school building. Giamanco, whose two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary School, engaged the gunman and shot and killed him inside the facility, ending the attack.
Suspect Information
The gunman was identified as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former student at Silver Rail Elementary School. Authorities reported that no motive for the shooting has been established.
According to law enforcement sources, the weapon utilized during the shooting was a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun. The firearm was purchased legally in August 2026 by the suspect's mother, Shauntai Nickerson, and given to him for recreational use.
In a 2020 interview with local television station KTVZ, Nickerson discussed her son when he was 10 years old, stating he had special needs and faced difficulties with remote learning during the pandemic. At that time, Nickerson told the station: "It'll be great for my son to get back in there and get the help that he needs with the skilled teachers that he needs to get it from."
Victim Information
The shooting resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including three children and one educator. Police identified the deceased teacher as 25-year-old Megan Lambert. Among the deceased children, police and family members identified 5-year-old Rhoam Summer. The deceased children were ages 5, 8, and 11. Bend police noted that the families of the 8-year-old and 11-year-old victims have chosen not to release their names publicly.
Two additional individuals sustained injuries during the attack inside the classroom. The wounded victims include a 7-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher. Police confirmed that a total of nine individuals were inside the classroom when the attack occurred.
Police Response
Emergency officers and first responders arrived at the scene after the driver of the targeted pickup truck called 911. Upon entering Silver Rail Elementary School, law enforcement officers secured the facility, where the suspect had already been fatally shot by Giamanco. Responding officers secured the classroom, rendered medical aid to the wounded, and coordinated emergency transport for the surviving victims.
Investigation
The Bend Police Department led the initial scene processing and active investigation into the attack. Federal and local law enforcement partners assisted in examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators focused on reconstructing the timeline of events and examining the suspect's background.
Law enforcement sources indicated that investigators are conducting digital forensics, reviewing the suspect's computer, cellular phone, social media activity, search history, and internet records. The Bend Police Department announced on Monday that evidence collection at Silver Rail Elementary School was expected to wrap up by the end of the day, after which control of the building would be returned to the school district.
Evidence Collected
- Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun recovered at the scene.
- Glass fragments and ballistic evidence from shattered entry doors.
- Spent shell casings and physical evidence recovered from inside the classroom.
- Digital hardware including the suspect's personal computer and cellular phone.
- Online records, social media profiles, and browser search history submitted for forensic analysis.
Charges Filed
No formal criminal charges have been filed against the suspect, Griffin J. John II, because he was shot and killed at the scene by a civilian bystander. Under standard criminal legal procedure, formal prosecutions and indictments cannot proceed against a deceased individual, as judicial jurisdiction over the accused terminates upon death.
In criminal investigations involving mass violence or firearm access involving minors, prosecutors and investigative agencies routinely evaluate potential legal issues regarding secondary liability or weapon sourcing. Depending on federal and state statutes, legal procedures in firearm investigations can involve:
- Straw Purchasing: Under federal statute 18 U.S.C. Section 922(a)(6), making false statements or purchasing a firearm on behalf of an unauthorized individual constitutes a federal felony, carrying potential penalties of up to 10 to 15 years in federal prison upon conviction.
- Negligent Storage of Firearms: State statutes in various jurisdictions establish criminal penalties for gun owners who store operational firearms where minors can access them, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felony counts depending on the severity of the outcome.
- Reckless Endangerment: Statutory charges alleging that an individual engaged in conduct creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to others, carrying potential penalties including formal probation or imprisonment.
Court Information
Because the primary suspect died during the incident, no active criminal docket or case number has been opened for the shooter in Oregon circuit court. Standard judicial steps such as arraignments, preliminary hearings, or grand jury indictments against a suspect do not take place when the suspect is deceased.
However, official investigative findings are compiled into formal prosecutor reviews. In Oregon, local circuit courts maintain jurisdiction over state felony matters and potential grand jury proceedings if prosecutors evaluate third-party accountability. Formal reports and investigative case files are reviewed by the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office or local judicial district authorities once all law enforcement findings are finalized.
Statements from Authorities
The Bend Police Department provided operational updates regarding the status of the crime scene and the overall investigation. In official statements released on Monday, police confirmed that processing inside Silver Rail Elementary School was scheduled to conclude by the end of the day, allowing the facility to be handed back to school district administrators.
Public Safety Information
Community members and school families affected by acts of violence can access support services through national crisis resources. Individuals experiencing trauma, emotional distress, or mental health crises can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, which operates free of charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Members of the public with information relevant to violent crimes, threats to educational facilities, or unlawful firearm transfers can report tips directly to local police departments, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or dial 911 for immediate emergencies.
What Happens Next
Following the completion of physical evidence collection by the Bend Police Department, the school building will be returned to the local school district for structural repairs, administrative evaluation, and security reviews. Investigative units will continue analyzing digital evidence, mobile devices, and background history to identify any preparatory steps or context preceding the event.
The local district attorney's office will conduct a legal review of all police findings after the investigation concludes. Official reporting from investigating agencies will determine whether any further administrative reviews or legal actions regarding weapon procurement will occur.
