A seven-year-old girl described as "feisty and loving" is fighting for her life in hospital after being shot in the face during a school shooting in Oregon. Saylor Graham underwent surgery and was stabilised in serious condition, according to a family friend who spoke to NBC News.
Shooting at Silver Rail Elementary
Three children aged five, eight and 11, along with a teacher, were killed at Silver Rail Elementary school in Bend, Oregon on Thursday, October 15. A former student, 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, entered a special needs classroom and began firing with a shotgun.
Teacher Becky Drury, 54, is recovering in a Bend hospital with wounds to her arm and hand but hopes to go home soon, said Zack Hall, a family friend serving as her family's spokesperson.
Community and family response
Matt Sampson, executive director of Sparrow Clubs, said Saylor joined the Bend High Lava Bear Sparrow programme in 2025. "Saylor is the definition of light and joy," Sampson told the outlet. "And one of those kids that, you know, when she's in the room. You can't think of anything else other than what Saylor's doing, 'I need to get to know her.'" He told Central Oregon Daily News. "She's just very inspirational, very joyful, very courageous, and inspirational."
During the shooting, one teacher was grappling with the shooter for the weapon when the father of two students came in and shot him to death. They were credited with stopping the rampage and saving many people's lives.
Motive under investigation
While police continued to investigate John's motive, distraught parents, teachers and others gathered outside the school Saturday to leave flowers, pray and cry. Savannah Patton, a mother with a 1st and 4th grader at the school, told a reporter outside that the teacher who died, Megan Lambert, 25, had been a substitute for her daughter's class last year.
Patton said she has struggled to explain what happened to her daughter, who asked her, "Mommy, why would someone want to take a gun and kill us at school?" Patton said it was a question she didn't know how to answer.
Fundraiser for Saylor's family
A GoFundMe page, started to offer support for Saylor's family, has now raised nearly $400,000 USD. The fundraiser states: "Saylor Graham is a 7-year-old little girl, daughter, sister, and neice with a fierce determination to thrive! On October 15, 2026, Saylor survived a tragedy no child should ever have to endure."
"Saylor is a feisty, loving child with numerous medical needs, and this unimaginable trauma has brought medical expenses and uncertainty to her family during an already difficult time." Mother and Father and family are by Saylor's side as she continues to recover. Saylor's mother and father are both self-employed, and because of the medical needs, their ability to work has been very limited.
"This fundraiser is to help ease the family's urgent financial burdens, including time away from work, hospital bills, lodging, and transportation. If you are able, please support this beautiful baby girl as she fights to recover from something no child should ever have to experience." Every donation, prayer, and act of kindness means so much. Thank you for standing with Saylor and her family.
