Alleged school shooter who killed four was former student, police say
US authorities have praised the father and teacher who confronted the former student who allegedly killed four students in a school shooting.
Oregon’s City of Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the “heroic” teacher likely saved several lives before Griffin J. John II, 16, was shot by a father who followed him into the building.
Flowers and candles are seen at a makeshift memorial outside Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. Joe Kline
“Everyone wants to know why, including us,” he said.
“We may never get that full answer, but we want it.”
Authorities confirmed that the 16-year-old alleged gunman who opened fire on a special needs classroom was once student in the same faculty at Silver Rail Elementary.
While police continue to investigate how the teenager got a hold of the firearm an anonymous law enforcement official reportedly told The Associated Press it was bought by his mother.
John’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, told reporters outside her apartment near the school that she would have prevented the tragedy if she could.
“I miss my boy,” Nickerson said, fighting tears, according to The New York Times and CNN.
“I’m so sorry, I wish I could have done something. I’m sorry for their loss.”
In a 2020 interview with local news station KTVZ, she said the teen, who was aged 10, was a participant in NEST, Nurturing Empathy, Safety, and Trust, a school program for students experiencing intensive behavioral and social challenges.
At the time, Nickerson noted that her son struggled significantly while attempting remote learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flowers are placed beside a sign at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore. Haven Daley
Krantz said that the teenager fired up to 15 shots from a 12-guage shotgun and had about 44 rounds left before he was shot by Kaylub Giamanco, 36, whose two children also attend the school.
Giamanco was identified as the man who shot in the gunman in a statement from his mother, Kenda Freeman, on Friday (local time).
“He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel and community for the outpouring of love and support,” Freeman said.
She said her family was asking for privacy “during this difficult time”.
Alleged gunman fatally shot minutes after 911 call
The four victims killed in the mass shooting included three children aged between five and 11 and 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert.
A seven-year-old child and another teacher were also wounded but received immediate lifesaving care and remains in hospital.
The 54-year-old teacher, identified by her family as Becky Drury, was shot in the arm and hand is recovering from surgery.
Rhoam Summer, 5, has been identified as a victim in the Oregon school shooting. Swan Sheridan
The first call to authorities came from a pickup driver on Thursday afternoon (local time) who saw the alleged gunman throw his weapon over a fence outside the school and before scaling it to get inside the school, Krantz said.
The driver, who was uninjured, reportedly yelled at John who then fired at him, striking his truck three times.
Shortly after, Giamanco saw John shooting at the truck before moving toward the elementary school, where he shot through locked doors to get inside.
The 36-year-old dad pulled into the parking lot, grabbed his .40-caliber pistol and followed the alleged shooter inside.
He saw John wrestling with the teacher before opening fire and shooting him several times.
Children place flowers at a makeshift memorial outside Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Ore. Joe Kline
John died shortly after.
There were no other children in the classroom, authorities said.
The youngest victim was described by his aunt, Swan Sheridan, as a fearless climber and a fast runner who loved reading.
“He never met a stuffie that he didn’t think needed to be rescued and cared for,” she said.
Classes and all other activities were cancelled for schools across the mountain-ringed city of Bend after the tragedy.
There have been at least 52 school shootings in the US so far this year, leaving at least 28 people dead and 48 others injured, according to CNN’s analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary represents the 36th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year, the data shows.
- With AP
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