Two victims of the Oregon elementary school shooting have been identified as 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert and five-year-old pupil Rhoam Summer.
The pair were named by authorities during a press conference on Friday, a day after a 16-year-old gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Lambert grew up in Bend and had fulfilled her ambition of teaching in the school district she attended as a child. She graduated from Boise State University in 2023 and had previously worked at Silver Rail as a substitute teacher before taking her first full-time teaching post there.
In a statement, her family said she had a huge heart, particularly for children with special needs. She also coached volleyball and once declined payment so children who could not afford to play could take part.
Bend police chief Mike Krantz said another teacher confronted the gunman after he entered a special needs classroom. The teacher threw her phone at him, tackled him and tried to wrestle away his weapon.
She survived the attack, and Chief Krantz said her actions likely prevented further loss of life.
Police also said the suspect had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary as a special needs student.
Three children and a teacher were killed in Thursday’s shooting before an armed bystander shot and killed the 16-year-old suspect. Lambert’s family thanked the bystander, describing him as a hero for risking his life to protect others.
The identities of the other victims have not been released.
