Fresh details have emerged about the Oregon school shooting that left three children and a teacher dead at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, including the identities of one child and the teacher killed in the attack.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer was named by his family as one of the victims. His aunt, Swan Sheridan, described him as a lively child who loved stuffed animals, sharks, dinosaurs and creatures he considered “misunderstood”.
“He never met a stuffie that he didn’t think needed to be rescued and cared for,” Ms Sheridan said.
The other children killed were aged eight and 11 and have not been publicly identified because they were minors. The teacher who died was named as 25-year-old Megan Lambert, of Bend.
A seven-year-old pupil and another teacher, 54-year-old Becky Drury, were injured. The child remains in a stable but critical condition, while Ms Drury is recovering from surgery.
Oregon school shooting suspect was former pupil
Police identified the gunman as 16-year-old Griffin John II, a former student at Silver Rail Elementary. He used a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun and had about 44 rounds of ammunition on him or in his backpack, officials said.
Investigators said the attacker fired through locked doors to gain entry to the school. All four victims were shot in the same classroom, according to Bend police chief Mike Krantz.
The motive remains unknown. Police are also investigating how the teenager obtained the weapon.
The attack began shortly before 1pm on Thursday, October 15, after a caller reported that someone with a long gun was shooting at a car outside the school. Further emergency calls then reported that a gunman had entered the building.
Officers arrived within minutes and the suspect was later found dead inside the school.
Father of two pupils confronted gunman
The man who shot the attacker was identified as 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, a lifelong Bend resident whose two young daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary.
Mr Giamanco was driving near the school when he saw the gunman fire at a vehicle. He parked, retrieved his own firearm and followed the teenager into the building.
The pair became involved in a physical confrontation before Mr Giamanco shot him, bringing the attack to an end. His mother, Kenda Freeman, said he was not seeking recognition and had asked for privacy for the family.
“He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel and community for the outpouring of love and support,” she said in a statement read to reporters.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised the person who followed the gunman into the school, saying his actions carried “a heavy emotional burden”.
Police also said another teacher confronted the attacker after he entered her classroom. She threw her mobile phone at him before tackling him and attempting to seize the firearm. She was not injured.
Classes and school activities across Bend were cancelled on Friday as investigators continued to examine the scene. Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals were left at a makeshift memorial outside Silver Rail Elementary.
