John J Griffin, 16, the teenager accused of killing three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, had previously attended the school, according to emerging details about the attack.
The shooting happened on Thursday, when Griffin allegedly entered the school at approximately 12.59pm carrying a pump-action long gun. Police said the firearm had been purchased by his mother.
The attack left four people dead and two others critically injured. Authorities have not established a motive for the shooting.
Gunman Allegedly Fired at Vehicle Before Entering School
Investigators said the attack began in the school car park, where the suspect allegedly opened fire on a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
Images shared online showed multiple bullet holes in the vehicle, along with a shattered rear passenger-side window.
The suspect allegedly threw the firearm over the school fence before climbing over it himself and entering the premises. The driver of the truck contacted Deschutes County dispatchers shortly before 1pm.
Silver Rail Elementary School serves approximately 450 children and is located in Bend, around 160 miles southeast of Portland.
Three Children and Teacher Killed in Special Education Area
According to the account of the attack, Griffin allegedly fired at locked doors before reaching the school’s special education area, where three children aged five, eight and 11 were killed alongside a teacher.
The youngest victim was identified as five-year-old Rhoam Summer. His father confirmed his identity on Friday.
A 54-year-old teacher and a seven-year-old child who uses a wheelchair were also taken to hospital in critical condition. The child had been shot in the face.
Authorities have not provided an updated account of the two injured victims’ conditions.
Father of Two Children at School Shot Suspect Dead
The shooting ended when Kalub Giamanco, 36, confronted the teenager inside the school and shot him dead.
Giamanco, whose two children attend Silver Rail Elementary, was reportedly driving home for his lunch break when he heard gunfire. He entered the school and pursued the suspect.
Emergency medical services dispatch audio suggested that the person who shot the gunman may have been a father at the school.
“Looks like the shooter has been neutralized, possibly shot by a father at the school,” a staff member was heard saying in the audio, according to a report by the BBC.
The suspect was killed approximately three minutes before police arrived. Authorities have not publicly confirmed further details about the identity of the person who confronted him.
Fifth-grade teacher Kathy Sheil Smith praised the individual who intervened, saying the person had acted courageously and expressing gratitude that the suspect had been stopped.
Police Search Suspect’s Family Home
Police raided Griffin’s family home on Thursday night and seized computers and other electronic devices as part of their investigation.
His parents were reported to have cooperated with authorities.
Investigators have not disclosed whether Griffin had previously made threats, experienced disciplinary problems or displayed other warning signs. They have also not confirmed whether he possessed additional weapons or whether a note or other digital evidence was recovered.
Authorities have yet to establish why the teenager allegedly carried out the attack or provide a complete account of how he moved through the school.
The police chief warned that the investigation would take time, with officers expected to remain at the scene for several days.
Investigation Continues as Community Mourns Victims
The attack has added to the number of deadly shootings at American schools. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, 235 shooting incidents were recorded at US schools last year, with at least 140 reported so far this year.
Oregon has introduced several gun safety laws in recent years and was ranked 12th among the 50 states for the strength of its gun laws by Everytown for Gun Safety.
Under Oregon law, people younger than 18 cannot purchase firearms, although minors may possess them with parental permission for certain purposes, including hunting.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting, including the suspect’s background, the weapon used and the events leading up to the attack.
