Armed bystander fatally shot suspect; teacher says she was shot before acting
An armed bystander shot and killed the suspect, and wounded teacher Becky Drury says she was shot before she could act.
Event / Security
On October 15, 2026, a 16-year-old gunman fired at a truck and at locked doors to enter Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, and shot people in a special needs classroom. Police said three boys aged 5, 8 and 11 and a 25-year-old teacher were killed. A second teacher and a student were injured, one teacher critically. The gunman was fatally shot by a parent who followed him inside. On October 21, police confirmed the shotgun was legally purchased, served search warrants on the suspect's home, devices and social media accounts, and reopened district schools with officers stationed at each campus. The investigation is ongoing.
2026-10-22 to 2026-10-24 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 13:51 UTC
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A shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon killed three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher. A 7-year-old student was seriously wounded.
Bend Police Department detectives served search warrants at the suspect's home, on his electronic devices, and on his social media accounts across several platforms. The investigation was described as complex and ongoing as of October 21, 2026.
The suspect was identified as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, a former student at Silver Rail Elementary School. He shot through the school's locked doors, entered a special needs classroom, and opened fire.
The Bend Police Department confirmed on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, that the firearm used in the attack on Silver Rail Elementary School was purchased legally.
Students in Bend-La Pine Schools returned to classes on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, one week after the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. Law enforcement presence was increased at schools following the shooting.
Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher, was shot at close range during the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. She suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including a nearly severed left hand and a severely injured right arm.
An armed bystander, 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, followed the suspect into the school and fatally shot him. Another teacher had tackled the suspect.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Becky Drury said she saw the shooter and tried to shut her classroom door but was shot at close range before she could do so. She said she then pretended to be dead, and she stated that earlier reporting crediting her with shielding a student was inaccurate.
Investigators are examining possible connections between the suspect and violent extremist groups online as they work to determine a motive for the shooting.
Three boys aged 5, 8 and 11 and a 25-year-old teacher died at the scene of the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Becky Drury issued a statement saying she was shot before she had any chance to act and that she pretended to be dead in the hope the gunman would not shoot her again. She said she wanted her actions reported accurately.
The suspected 16-year-old gunman, armed with a twelve-gauge shotgun, was fatally shot inside Silver Rail Elementary School by the father of two students. The father followed the teen into the school after seeing shots fired at the truck outside.
Becky Drury, 54, was shot at close range in her classroom after returning there when the gunman was already inside. She sustained severe injuries, including an almost completely severed left hand and a severely injured right arm.
Bend police stationed dozens of officers at each school to welcome students back when schools reopened on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Bend police served search warrants on the suspected gunman's home, his electronic devices and his social media accounts.
Bend police confirmed that the firearm used in the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting was legally purchased. Police are not releasing further details about the gun at this time.
Schools in the district where the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting occurred reopened on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, for the first time since the shooting.
The Bend Police Department stated that residents should expect increased police presence in and around schools over the coming days and weeks, to help students and staff feel as comfortable as possible during a difficult, emotional period.
As of Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the investigation into the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon remained open.
After the gunman entered the special needs classroom, a teacher who was not injured threw her cellphone at him, then tackled him to the floor and tried to take the gun away from him.
An armed bystander shot and killed the suspect, and wounded teacher Becky Drury says she was shot before she could act.
A 16-year-old former student is the identified suspect, and investigators are examining his home, devices, and possible extremist online connections.
Police confirmed the weapon was legally bought and served warrants on the suspect's home, devices and social media.
Four people were killed at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, and the suspected 16-year-old gunman was fatally shot.