A teacher stopped a mass shooting after attacking a gunman who stormed a primary school special education classroom. During the attack in the US state of Oregon, launched by 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a hero teacher threw her phone at the shooter before rushing him. She then tackled the shooter to the ground while the incident unfolded at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.
Shooter fired at least 15 shots
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said John fired at least 15 shots in the special education classroom with a Maverick 88, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun loaded with three types of ammunition — 12-gauge birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. While the teacher was wrestling with the 16-year-old, girl dad Kaylub Giamanco raced into the classroom with his 40-caliber pistol.
Giamanco then shot John multiple times, ending the horror by fatally wounding the teen. Police Chief Krantz has praised the teacher for her “heroic action.” Tragically, numerous people lost their lives in the shooting on Thursday.
Victims identified
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer, an eight-year-old, an 11-year-old, and teacher Megan Lambert, 25, all perished due to their injuries after the shooter opened fire. In a Facebook group post, Rhoam Summer’s father Kelik Summer posted about his five-year-old son’s death, saying that Thursday was “the worst day of my life.”
He added: “My son Rhoam was killed in a school shooting. We are broken and lost, but are surrounded by friends and family who are keeping us safe.” Rhoam’s grandfather Bryan Jolly described the tragedy as “senseless and a shock.” He stated that Rhoam was “in my house a lot and in my garden with me and wrestling with me on the couch.” Jolly added: “He was very bright and very mischievous and very fun-loving, and totally without fear.”
Tributes and injuries
A heartbreaking tribute for teacher Megan Lambert was shared by police. The statement read: “Megan was a native central Oregonian. She grew up in Bend. She had a passion for playing sports, especially volleyball. She was a volleyball coach. She actually turned down pay for her first season as a coach, so families who couldn’t afford to participate could have the chance to play the sport she loved.”
“Her goal was to be an educator, and teach in the school district she loved growing up in … Silver Rail was her first job as a teacher, though she subbed there for many years … She loved Silver Rail. This was her dream job. Megan was compassionate and had a huge heart.” Seven-year-old Saylor Graham and 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury were critically injured in the gunfire.
Teacher Becky Drury was shot through her left and right arm during the shooting. The woman has suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Bend police said on Friday: “The injured 54-year-old female teacher suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is currently receiving treatment at St Charles Bend [hospital].”
