Bend shooting update, more facts evolve
Published 2:21 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Bend shooter’s dad has Astoria ties
Oregon and the nation continue to reckon with the aftermath of the Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend that left three students, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher dead. Another 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher are still recovering in the hospital. The shooter was killed on the scene by a bystander.
According to The Bulletin, Griffin John II, the 16-year-old shooter, shot his way into the school with a Maverick 88 pump-action shotgun. Rhoam Summer, whose name was released by his family, was the 5-year-old victim. The teacher killed was Megan Lambert. Kaylub Giamanco is the bystander who shot the gunman, who is also the father of two Silver Rail students. He had followed the shooter into the school.
Students in the Bend-La Pine School District return to school on Wednesday. Silver Rail Elementary will remain closed until further notice.
Unraveling the events
While a motive has not yet been given by investigators, other facts about the case are trickling out. The shotgun used in the attack was purchased legally in August by Shauntai Nickerson, the shooter’s mother. On Friday, Nickerson said she saw no warning signs that indicated her son might commit violence. “If I could have prevented this, I would have,” she said.
No charges have yet been filed related to her purchase of the firearm; however, according to the New York Times, prosecutors could consider charges ranging from reckless endangerment to manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. That would require evidence more than just awareness that a child was troubled. Prosecutors would have to establish that the mother disregarded, or in the case of criminal negligence, failed to recognize, a substantial and unjustifiable risk.
Meanwhile, also on Friday, 250 miles away in Astoria, local police and the FBI were searching for the shooter’s father, Griffin John. They had some difficulty locating him because, according to Astoria Police Chief Kelly, John was homeless and living in the woods.
Local police officers located John on Saturday morning and delivered to him his son’s death notification. He said he had not been in contact with his son for about a year according to Kelly.
According to oregonlive.com, when two journalists approached John in the woods, he said “I’m going through a lot right now.” John then asked the journalists to leave.
Local schools gear up for lockdown drill
Astoria schools are operating on their regular schedule. However, support resources were mobilized for students and employees who may need comfort or guidance, according to local officials.
Local schools all have long-standing safety measures in place, including locked doors and an array of cameras that record any movement.
“You just can’t walk into schools anymore at anytime, you have to buzz in,” said Astoria School Superintendent Craig Hoppes.
In addition, schools take part regularly in lockdown drills, as well as fire drills and tsunami drills.
On Wednesday, students, teachers and staff members across the district will participate in a lockdown drill.
Hoppes said he’s as sure as he can be that Astoria’s schools are safe — but he’s also aware that everyone needs to be alert.
“I’m never totally comfortable,” Hoppes said. …”We continue to drill with our students and make sure that they’re following directions and continuing more training with staff.”
Seaside Superintendent Jeff Roberts agrees. He said safety and emergency response protocols are practiced regularly. He also said it’s important that members of the community keep an eye out.
He called on people to reach out “if you or your student ever see or hear something that raises concern or simply doesn’t seem right.”