Bend School Shooters Mother Breaks Down on Camera Days After Oregon Elementary School Attack That Killed 3 Children and a Teacher

In the wake of a shooting that took the lives of three children and a teacher at an elementary school in Oregon, the mother of the teenage gunman has opened up, while police continue to search for answers that remain elusive.

Authorities are investigating the background of 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, including his ties to Silver Rail Elementary School and the evidence collected after the attack on October 15.

As questions linger about what prompted Griffin’s return to his old school, his mother has reached out with a heartfelt message to the families mourning their losses.

The tragic events unfolded at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Griffin, a former student, forced his entry into a special education classroom and began shooting before being confronted by armed parent Kaylub Giamanco, who fatally shot him.

The attack resulted in the deaths of three young children aged five, eight, and eleven, as well as 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert. Another child and a teacher sustained injuries, with one of the deceased children identified as five-year-old Rhoam Summer.

The names of the other two boys have not been revealed at the request of their families, as stated by Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. All four fatalities occurred within the special education classroom, which catered to students of varying ages, according to Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook.

Days after the tragic incident, a key question remains unanswered: Why did Griffin carry out the attack? Law enforcement confirmed that Griffin had previously attended Silver Rail but was no longer enrolled in the district.

An anonymous law enforcement official disclosed to Oregon Public Broadcasting that the teen had no known juvenile criminal record. This leaves investigators piecing together events leading up to Griffin’s return to the school and the reasoning behind it.

During a briefing on Friday, Krantz acknowledged the difficulty of uncovering the motivations behind such incidents. He remarked, “Determining the ‘why’ in these investigations is one of the most challenging aspects.”

Krantz noted that the pursuit of answers would demand extensive investigative efforts, underscoring the possibility that the full motives behind the attack might remain unknown.

Griffin’s parents have engaged with investigators, cooperating fully during interviews, according to a law enforcement source cited by CNN. Investigators are also examining electronic devices taken from the teen’s home as they search for further insights.

Although no clear motive has emerged publicly, one aspect of Griffin’s background raises significant questions about his return to Silver Rail.

Griffin’s Background and Previous Support

Griffin was not merely a former student; he had been a special needs participant at Silver Rail, and the shooting occurred within the classroom designed for such students.

His history at the school had been publicly discussed years prior to the incident. In 2020, Griffin’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, shared with KTVZ NewsChannel 21 about her son’s educational experiences during the pandemic.

Griffin was part of the NEST program, which stands for Nurturing Empathy, Safety, and Trust, a collaborative initiative between High Desert Education Service District and Bend-La Pine Schools for students facing significant behavioral and social challenges.

At that time, families were preparing for special needs students to resume partial in-person classes after months of disruption due to the pandemic. Students in the NEST program were scheduled for daily classes lasting two hours and 45 minutes, focusing on academics and social skills.

The program consisted of six students from kindergarten to second grade and four students from third to fifth grade. The classroom was altered to accommodate health measures during the pandemic, with desks designed like cars separated by Plexiglas dividers.

Everyone in the program had to wear masks and practice good hygiene. Nickerson expressed relief that her son could return to the classroom, as she felt ill-equipped to provide the specialized support he required.

In that interview, recorded six years before Griffin’s return under tragic circumstances, she reflected on how he had struggled with remote learning and expressed gratitude for the resources available at Silver Rail.

However, a stark contrast exists between that past and the current tragic situation, as police believe Griffin deliberately targeted the special education classroom during the shooting.

Nickerson recently spoke to CNN from her balcony, remaining off-camera while visibly emotional and smoking a cigarette.

She refrained from discussing how Griffin obtained the firearm, a subject still under investigation but shared her sorrow, saying, “I miss my boy. I’m so sorry.”

She also extended her condolences to the families of the victims, stating, “I’m so sorry, I wish I could have done something. I’m sorry for their loss.” As investigations continue, she reflects on the aftermath of the tragic event.

With both parents participating in interviews and assisting authorities, investigators are examining the electronic devices taken from their home to find answers.

Griffin’s past confirms he once received tailored support at Silver Rail, and law enforcement believes he returned to specifically target the special education classroom. However, the underlying motive remains unclear.

Nickerson is not the only parent whose voice has emerged amid the tragic aftermath of the shooting. As she expressed her apologies to the victims’ families, another mother was supporting her son, who rushed toward the gunfire.

Kaylub Giamanco was heading home for lunch on the same day of the attack when he came across the chaotic scene at Silver Rail Elementary School.

Kenda Freeman, his mother, recounted how the actions of the shooter inadvertently guided her son toward a classroom where a teacher was striving to protect the children, along with the painful admission her son made afterward.

A Father’s Desperate Act

For Kaylub, Silver Rail held significant meaning; both of his children were students there. On that Thursday, the 36-year-old contractor was nearby when he saw a teenager with a shotgun climbing over the school’s chain-link fence.

A bystander in a red truck noticed the boy and yelled at him. In response, the teen fired at the truck multiple times, as reported by Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz during a press briefing the following day.

The driver contacted 911, and upon witnessing the shots being fired, Kaylub drove toward the school, knowing his children were inside.

He had a legally stored .40-caliber pistol in his vehicle; according to his mother, he quickly grabbed it and chased after the gunman.

Kaylub, well-versed in firearms from a young age, legally owned and carried his weapon to protect his family.

Originally from Placerville, California, he had lived in Oregon for over thirty years. This community was where he had established his life.

As the gunman shot through the glass at the front entrance of the school, the special education classroom was just to the left inside. The attacker entered that room, followed closely by Kaylub.

Heroic Actions Under Pressure

In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Kenda detailed how her son managed to enter the building. “He crawled through a window that the gunman had shot out,” she recounted. “He army crawled through the window.”

The broken glass provided Kaylub with a means to reach the shooter, but within the classroom, another person had already intervened to shield the children from danger.

A teacher threw her phone at the assailant and tackled him, according to Chief Krantz. While other staff members secured students in nearby rooms, she struggled with the gunman for control of the weapon.

That confrontation was what Kaylub encountered upon entering. Law enforcement reported that he shot the teenager several times, bringing the attack to a stop. The teacher who had confronted the shooter was unharmed, and police credited her, along with Kaylub and the truck driver, for preventing further casualties.

Chief Krantz remarked, “When someone is willing to risk their own life for others, we recognize that.” He commended Kaylub for his choice to pursue an armed assailant into the school, asserting that his actions undoubtedly saved lives.

“We all recognize that is true heroism,” he added.

Law enforcement identified the gunman as Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old former student of Silver Rail. By October 16, they confirmed their belief that he had targeted the classroom, although investigators were still seeking clarity on his motives.

Sources from law enforcement indicated that Griffin’s mother had bought the shotgun, and he discharged approximately 15 rounds during the attack in the classroom. With the confrontation over, Kaylub reached out to his mother in Sacramento.

The Call That Brought the Horror Home

Kenda recalled her son’s first words during the call: “Mom, I just shot and killed somebody.” She urged him to explain what had occurred.

“A man went into my daughter’s school and shot kids,” he clarified, as she remembers the harrowing exchange.

For Kenda, the son she was speaking to was the loving father she knew. She described him as someone with a genuine spirit who cared deeply for his family and community.

Both of his children escaped unharmed, but Kenda acknowledged that her son was deeply affected by the experience, and their family focused on helping him deal with the trauma.

Meanwhile, other families were facing their own agonizing waits. Two individuals had been hospitalized, and the community that had lost four lives anxiously awaited news on their condition. Among the injured was a young girl known and cherished by many local teenagers.

Seven-year-old Saylor Graham, who loved “Bluey” and cherished her time with others, shared a special bond with her brother.

She also had a connection to the students at Bend High School through Sparrow Clubs, a program that encourages youth to assist children with medical needs through community service.

As reported by the Associated Press via ABC News, Saylor has a genetic disorder, typically uses a wheelchair, and communicates using her eye movements in conjunction with a digital tablet.

Following the shooting, Saylor was taken to a Portland hospital where authorities indicated that she was critically injured but stable. As of Saturday, October 17, she remained hospitalized.

Her family stayed by her side, but the practical demands of her medical care put significant strain on her parents, who are self-employed.

In response, Trisa Lovejoy initiated a recovery fundraiser for Danielle Graham, Saylor’s mother, to assist with medical expenses, lodging, transportation, and lost work time. The campaign had raised over $450,000 towards a target of $650,000, with around 9,000 contributors.

The community was coming together to offer support to the young girl who had already inspired countless others. In Bend, another patient was receiving a similar wave of compassion.

Becky Drury, 54, was also recovering from gunshot injuries to her arm and hand. According to family friend Zack Hall, who spoke on behalf of the family, she hopes to return home soon. Known as Ms. Becky among students, she was a teacher who made children feel valued and loved.

As she recuperates, her supporters wanted to ensure that she and her husband, Will Drury, felt the communal care, leading Annie Moseley to set up a healing fundraiser. This initiative had raised over $80,000 out of a $90,000 goal, with roughly 1,300 donations by the time of reporting.

The message accompanying the fundraiser thanked Becky for her unwavering dedication to her students and promised ongoing support for her family in the challenging times ahead.

Outside Silver Rail, a growing memorial formed, adorned with flowers, stuffed animals, and balloons. Parents and teachers gathered to mourn and pray, sharing their grief for the families who lost loved ones while also supporting those who survived.

Savannah Patton, a parent of children in first and fourth grades at the school, sat on the grass, wiping her tears. She recalled that Megan, the deceased teacher, had filled in for her daughter’s class the previous year.

Savannah found herself grappling with a painful question from her child: “Mommy, why would someone want to take a gun and kill us at school?” She felt ill-equipped to provide an answer.

Teaching had been Megan’s lifelong aspiration. Her family noted that she also passionately coached volleyball, extending her kindness to her students.

Heidi Wood, director of the Central Oregon Volleyball Club, remembered how Megan had declined her coaching salary during her first year, insisting the funds be allocated for scholarships to help children unable to afford participation.

Megan’s generosity extended to her paychecks as well. In a tribute shared on social media, Heidi conveyed, “To the shooter, she would have given you the shirt off her back, but you didn’t give her a chance.”

Heidi vowed that Megan’s memory would endure.

Devon Johnson, a volleyball coach at High Desert Middle School whose husband teaches at Bend High School, visited the memorial on Saturday. Their roles had connected them with many members of the Silver Rail staff.

“I’m thankful to see that Bend is uniting and supporting this community, but the healing process is going to take a significant amount of time,” she expressed.

For Kaylub, the aftermath had already started. While neighbors and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek recognized his courage, his mother was attuned to the burdens he carried.

Kenda praised her son as a hero and reassured him that he had acted rightly to save lives, yet his response revealed his inner turmoil.

“Mom, I couldn’t save them all,” he admitted.

He was tormented by memories of that day, questioning whether he could have done something differently. Kenda felt a mix of deep gratitude and sorrow.

While her grandchildren were safe, other families faced the unbearable loss of their children, and she said with tears, “My heart goes out to those families that didn’t get to bring their babies home.”

Her straightforward plea to everyone was, “Hug your babies, love your neighbors.”

Kaylub had risked his life for the safety of the children, and now his mother aimed to help him recognize the value of the lives he managed to save, even while grappling with the tragic loss of others.