The family of a teacher killed in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school have paid tribute to a young woman they described as compassionate, selfless and devoted to her pupils.
Meghan Lambert, 25, was among four victims of Thursday's attack at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, where police say a 16-year-old gunman opened fire. Three children, aged five, eight and 11, were also killed, reports The Mirror.
Family tribute to 'funny and caring' teacher
Remembering her on Friday, relatives said she was a funny and caring woman who “always fought for the underdog and those with special needs”. “Meghan loved those children,” they said, adding that securing a teaching role at Silver Rail had fulfilled her ambition of working in her local school district and represented her “dream job”.
Bryan Jolly, grandfather of five-year-old Rhoam Summer, said the family were in a state of shock following his death, describing his grandson as "very bright and very mischievous and very fun-loving, and totally without fear." He told the New York Times: "The whole thing is senseless, and a shock."
Victims and suspect named
The attack also claimed the lives of an eight-year-old and 11-year-old, who have not been named publicly, police confirmed. A 54-year-old teacher and a seven-year-old student are both in hospital with injuries following the shooting. The child’s condition is described as serious but stable.
Police have named Griffin J John II, 16, a special educational needs student at the school, as their suspect in the shooting. Investigators are searching his home as officers try to find out how he got hold of the gun.
Bravery of those who intervened
A teacher and a parent who stopped the attack have been commended for their bravery by Police Chief Krantz, who said her brave actions grappling with the teen had "almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed". Both were unhurt.
The teacher reportedly threw her phone at the shooter before tackling him to the ground. As the two struggled on the floor of the classroom, a bystander armed with a pistol ran in and shot the attacker.
The bystander, understood to be a father who had two girls at the school, had been driving past when he saw the suspect firing in the school's car park and then shooting through a window to enter the building.
Officers found 44 more rounds of shotgun ammunition on the shooter after he had been apprehended.
"To the people who showed courage in the face of such violence and intervened to prevent this tragedy from being any worse, we owe you a debt of gratitude," said Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.
