The mother of a 16-year-old suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at an Oregon elementary school has spoken publicly for the first time since the attack, expressing her grief and regret over the deaths of four people.
Shauntai May Nickerson's son, Griffin J. John II, was identified by authorities as the teenager responsible for the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Three children, aged five, eight and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher were killed. Two other people were injured before an armed parent intervened and fatally shot the attacker.
As investigators continue examining how the teenager obtained the weapon and what motivated the attack, his mother's comments have attracted considerable attention.
What did the suspected shooter's mother say?
Speaking to reporters outside her apartment following the shooting, Nickerson struggled to contain her emotions as she discussed her son and the families affected by the tragedy.
According to The New York Times, she described him as "a good boy, he really was."
She also expressed regret about what had happened, saying: "If I could have prevented this, I would have."
In further comments reported by The Associated Press, Nickerson apologised to the victims' families and spoke about missing her son.
Her statements came as investigators worked to establish the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the teenager's access to the firearm.
Police have not announced a motive, and there is no indication that Nickerson's comments provide an explanation for the attack.
What happened at Silver Rail Elementary School?
The shooting took place on Thursday, October 15, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, a city in central Oregon.
According to investigators, the 16-year-old approached the school carrying a pump-action shotgun.
Police said he crossed a fence onto school property and fired towards a man outside the building before shooting through a locked entrance.
He subsequently entered a special education classroom, where several children and teachers were present.
Three pupils were fatally shot, along with teacher Megan Lambert, 25.
A seven-year-old girl and another teacher, aged 54, were also injured and taken to hospital.
Authorities said the teenager fired approximately 15 shots during the attack and had another 44 rounds of ammunition remaining when he died.
The shooting unfolded within minutes, leaving families and school staff facing a devastating loss.
Teacher reportedly fought back against the gunman
During a police briefing on Friday, October 16, officials described the actions of a teacher who attempted to stop the attacker.
Investigators said the teacher threw a mobile phone towards the teenager before physically confronting him.
The teacher's actions were credited with slowing the attack at a critical moment.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz praised those who intervened, recognising the risks they had taken to protect children and colleagues.
The confrontation also played a role in the events that followed, when a parent entered the school after hearing gunfire.
Father of two pupils fatally shot the attacker
The man who intervened has been identified by relatives as Kaylub Giamanco, a father whose children attend Silver Rail Elementary School.
According to reports, Giamanco was in the area when he became aware of the shooting and saw the teenager heading into the building.
He followed the attacker into the school while carrying a legally owned handgun.
Police said he encountered the teenager during the confrontation with a teacher and fired several shots, killing him.
Giamanco was not injured.
Officials have praised his intervention, while his family has indicated that he is dealing with the emotional consequences of what happened.
Authorities believe the actions of those who confronted the attacker prevented further casualties.
What is known about the teenager?
Investigators identified the suspected attacker as Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old from Bend.
He had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary School and had received additional educational support.
His mother had spoken publicly about his schooling several years before the attack.
In a 2020 interview with local television station KTVZ, Nickerson discussed the difficulties her son experienced with remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, she explained that he needed assistance from trained educators and that learning from home had presented significant challenges.
However, educational support needs do not establish a motive for violence, and investigators have not identified a connection between his childhood learning difficulties and the shooting.
Where did the shotgun come from?
Investigators have also been examining how the teenager obtained the weapon used in the attack.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the shotgun had been purchased by his mother.
The weapon was described as a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.
Nickerson did not publicly explain how her son gained access to it.
Police have been reviewing evidence, including electronic devices and online activity, as they attempt to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.
At the time of reporting, authorities had not announced a final determination about how the firearm came into the teenager's possession.
Victims remembered as community mourns
Among those killed was five-year-old Rhoam Summer, whose family has publicly paid tribute to him.
The two other children who died were aged eight and 11.
Teacher Megan Lambert, 25, was also killed while working at the school.
Friends, relatives and members of the community have remembered Lambert for her dedication to children, particularly pupils requiring additional educational support.
Outside Silver Rail Elementary, residents have gathered to leave flowers, messages and other tributes.
Families and local officials have also expressed support for the surviving pupils and staff, many of whom witnessed the violence.
Police still searching for a motive
Despite the details emerging about the attack, one of the most significant questions remains unanswered: why did the teenager target the school?
Police Chief Mike Krantz acknowledged the uncertainty during a news conference, explaining that investigators were still trying to understand what prompted the shooting.
Authorities have been examining the teenager's background, his connection to the school and evidence recovered during the investigation.
Officials have cautioned that establishing a motive can be particularly difficult in cases where the suspected attacker has died.
For the families of the four people killed, the investigation continues alongside the process of mourning their loved ones.
Nickerson's emotional statements have added another dimension to the public discussion, but the focus of the investigation remains on understanding the attack and establishing the circumstances that allowed it to happen.
Sources: UNILAD, October 17, 2026; Associated Press; CBS News; The New York Times reporting on the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting.
