US Mother Gifted Gun to 16-Year-Old Son, Who Killed Four at Oregon School

A 16-year-old boy who killed three children and a teacher in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, reportedly received the shotgun used in the attack as a birthday gift from his mother.

According to CBS News, citing sources, Shauntai Nickerson legally purchased a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun in August 2026 and later gifted it to her son, Griffin J. John II, reportedly for recreational use.

The shooting took place last Thursday at the elementary school, where the teenager had previously been a student requiring special support.

Police said the teenager initially fired at a passing pickup truck, prompting the driver to call 911. He then entered the school by shooting through locked glass doors and opened fire inside the first classroom to the left of the entrance.

Three children and a 25-year-old teacher, Megan Lambert, were killed in the attack. One of the children was identified as five-year-old Rhoam Summer. The other two victims were aged eight and 11.

A seven-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher were also reported injured.

According to police, nine people—four adults and five children—were inside the classroom when the shooting began.

The gunman was shot and killed by 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, who reportedly witnessed the initial shooting at the pickup truck and followed the teenager into the school.

Police said a teacher was struggling with the gunman over the weapon when Giamanco intervened and fatally shot him. Giamanco, a Bend resident, has two daughters who attend Silver Rail Elementary School.

Police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s access to the firearm.

Meanwhile, the parents of one of the children killed in the shooting have hired attorneys to examine the school’s safety procedures and how the teenager obtained the weapon.