Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect in Thursday’s horrific attack at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend as 16 year old John J. Griffin II. The teenager is accused of opening fire inside the campus, killing three children aged five, eight, and eleven. A seven year old student and a teacher also sustained critical injuries during the rampage. The violence only came to an end when an armed bystander intervened and fatally shot the gunman.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the massacre was a pump action shotgun purchased by the teenager’s mother around his birthday back in August. While her identity remains undisclosed, sources close to the probe indicate that she has been cooperative with authorities since the incident occurred. It currently remains unclear whether Griffin had any prior personal or academic connection to the elementary school.
The chaos began around 1 p.m. when witnesses say the shooter fired through a locked door to force his way into the building. Despite ongoing efforts from local police and federal agents, a specific motive for the targeted violence has not yet been established. The community has spent much of Friday mourning their losses, gathering at makeshift memorials outside the school gates.
During a somber candlelight vigil held shortly after the event, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler expressed the collective grief of the city, stating there were simply no words for such immense suffering. Local officials are expected to provide further details regarding the timeline of events and the security breach during a scheduled press conference late Friday afternoon.
