Who are the victims in the tragic Bend, Oregon, mass shooting at Silver Rail elementary school? They are three elementary school age children and a teacher, all of whom lost their lives at the hands of Griffin J. John II, the 16-year-old gunman.
Two additional victims – a child and a teacher – are recovering from serious injuries at the hospital. John was shot and killed at the scene by a heroic bystander, a father named Kaylub Giamanco, who heard gunfire and ran to investigate.
Two of the deceased victims – boys ages 8 and 11 – have not been public named at their families’ requests. Rhoam Summer, 5, and Megan Lambert, 25, were identified by police as the two deceased victims whose names were released.
A 54-year-old teacher who was injured but survived was named by Bend police as Becky Drury of Bend. Drury suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries and is in the hospital. An “injured 7-year-old girl, who received lifesaving care at the scene, is currently at OHSU. She is in serious but stable condition,” police wrote. Her name is Saylor Graham.
That makes six victims in all, four of whom died at the scene.
Megan Lambert’s Family Released a Tribute to the Slain Teacher, Saying Silver Rail Elementary Was Her ‘Dream Job’
Bend police posted a statement from Lambert’s family.
“To tell you about who Megan was would take 25 years. Megan was a native Central Oregonian. She grew up in Bend. She had a passion for playing sports, especially volleyball. She was a volleyball coach. She actually turned down pay for her first season as a coach so families who couldn’t afford to participate could have the chance to play the sport she loved. Her goal was to be an educator and teach in the school district she loved growing up in,” the family wrote.
“She graduated from Mountain View High School in 2019. She graduated from Boise State in May of 2023. She traveled abroad to Barcelona Spain with TEFL Iberia. Silver Rail was her first job as a teacher, though she subbed there for many years before through High Desert ESD. She LOVED Silver Rail – this was her dream job. Megan was compassionate and had a huge heart. She always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. She was an incredible sister, daughter, niece, and granddaughter. Her friends became her family. She was funny and opinionated, and she lit up the room.”
The family added: “We want the bystander who intervened to know we know he is going through a rough time, but we are grateful and we think he is a hero. You selflessly put yourself at risk for others. We would like the other families to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Megan loved those children and so we will show you love for her.”
A GoFundMe Was Established to Help the Family of Rhoam Summer
There is a GoFundMe to help Summer’s family.
“In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, the Summer family is grieving the heartbreaking loss of their sweet 5-year-old son, Rhoam,” the page says.
“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, and no family should ever have to experience a loss like this. As they navigate the days and weeks ahead, we want to come together as a community to surround them with love, compassion, and support.”
“We’ve created this Go Fund Me to help ease the burden of everyday responsibilities so they can focus on being together, grieving, and taking things one day at a time,” the page continued.
Megan Lambert & Rhoam Summer: Tributes to the Bend, Oregon Victims