A special‑needs classroom in Bend, Oregon, was the scene of a tragic shooting Thursday night. The 16‑year‑old suspect opened fire on students and teachers with a shotgun, killing four people before a teacher wrestled the gun away while a father of two girls ran inside and fatally shot the assailant.
Police confirm the attacker, Griffin J. John II, was a former student at Silver Rail Elementary. While the tense fight unfolded on the floor, the teacher threw her mobile phone, threw her weight forward and succeeded in stripping the shotgun from the gunman’s grip. Meanwhile, Kayleb Giamanco, a 36‑year‑old carpenter passing by, used his concealed .40‑caliber pistol to shoot John multiple times, killing him before he could escape.
Chief Mike Krantz praised the bravery of both the teacher and the father, saying, “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who intervened to prevent this tragedy from being worse.” The two victims identified publicly were 5‑year‑old Rhoam Summer and 25‑year‑old teacher Meghan Lambert; families of the other two children opted for privacy.
Two more were injured: a 54‑year‑old teacher was hospitalized, and a 7‑year‑old student was alive but in serious, stable condition. Police are searching the attacker’s home and reviewing his movements before the shooting, noting that the motive remains unclear.
The incident has drawn national attention. Former President Donald Trump described Giamanco as a “great hero,” while Governor Kotek acknowledged the hero’s heavy emotional burden. Authorities have not yet released the father’s name but confirmed he has requested privacy and expressed gratitude toward first responders and the community.
