A seven-year-old girl described as 'very joyful, very courageous, and inspirational' is battling for her life after being shot in the face during a school shooting in Oregon that left three other children and one teacher dead.
Saylor Graham has undergone surgery following the shooting and remains in a serious but stable condition, according to a family friend who confirmed details to NBC News.
Deadly attack at Silver Rail Elementary
Three youngsters, aged five, eight and 11 years old, alongside a teacher, lost their lives at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Sixteen-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former pupil at the school, entered a special needs classroom and opened fire with a shotgun. Teacher Becky Drury, 54, is recuperating in hospital following the horrifying incident.
Community remembers Saylor
Matt Sampson, executive director of Sparrow Clubs, revealed little Saylor became part of the Bend High Lava Bear Sparrow programme in 2025.
He said: "Saylor is the definition of light and joy. 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.'"
"She's just very inspirational, very joyful, very courageous, and inspirational."
Teacher and father intervene
During the attack, one teacher was compelled to wrestle with the gunman for control of the weapon. It was during this struggle when the father of two pupils intervened and shot him dead.
They were praised for halting the massacre and preserving numerous lives. As police continued to investigate John's motive, devastated parents, teachers and members of the community gathered outside the school on Saturday to lay flowers, pray and weep.
Savannah Patton, a mother with a 1st and 4th grader at the school, told a reporter outside that the teacher who lost her life, Megan Lambert, 25, had served as a substitute for her daughter's class the previous year.
Patton revealed she has struggled to explain the tragedy to her daughter, who asked: "Mommy, why would someone want to take a gun and kill us at school?" — a question Patton admitted she simply did not know how to answer.
Fundraiser exceeds $400,000
A GoFundMe page, launched to provide support for Saylor's family following the horrific ordeal, has now raised in excess of $400,000 USD.
The fundraiser reads: "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."
