The gun used in the Bend school shooting, in which three children and a teacher were killed, was given to the 16-year-old suspect by his mother as a birthday present, according to sources.
The weapon was a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun bought legally in August 2026 by Shauntai Nickerson, the mother of Griffin J. John II. It was given to him for recreational use, the sources said.
Police said the teenager first fired at a passing pick-up truck. The driver made the initial 911 call before the suspect forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School by shooting through the glass panes of a set of double doors.
He entered the first classroom on the left and killed four people. Police said nine people — four adults and five children — were inside the room at the time.
The children who died were aged five, eight and 11. The five-year-old was identified by police and his family as Rhoam Summer, while the families of the other two children have not released their names.
The teacher killed in the attack was 25-year-old Megan Lambert. A seven-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher were also wounded.
The suspect was shot and killed by 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, a Bend resident whose two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary. Police said Mr Giamanco witnessed the shooting involving the pick-up truck and followed the teenager into the school.
John was a former pupil at Silver Rail Elementary, police said. No motive for the attack has been provided.
The Bend Police Department said it expected to complete its evidence collection at the school by the end of the day on Monday, after which the building would be returned to the school district.
Investigators are also examining the attacker’s computer, phone, social media activity, search history and other online activity, law enforcement sources said.
