Oregon school shooter attacked special education classroom, police say

Police in Bend, Oregon, are still investigating the motive behind the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. Four people were killed, including three young children and a teacher. Police identified the shooter as a 16-year-old who previously attended the school. They said he attacked a special education classroom before being killed at the scene. William Brangham reports.

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Police are still investigating the motive behind the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Officials say four people were killed, including three young children and a teacher. Two of those victims were identified, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and teacher Megan Lambert. She was 25 years old.

Police have identified the alleged shooter as 16-year-old Griffin J. John II. He previously attended Silver Rail Elementary, where authorities said he was a special needs student. They said that yesterday he attacked a special needs classroom before being killed at the scene himself.

In Bend, Oregon, families huddle together, mourning those who've been lost, grieving yet another gun-related tragedy in America.

No parent, no family, no community should have to have this kind of day.

Last night, people gathered in a park near the school to sing hymns and offer prayers. The state's governor, Democrat Tina Kotek, tried to console the city.

Let's remember what matters and take care of each other because it's going to be hard. But you have each other. And I love you.

Police rushed to the scene yesterday within minutes after a suspect shot his way into Silver Rail Elementary School, reportedly with a shotgun. He then shot and killed a teacher and three young students. A 7-year-old and another teacher were taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Aizen, Student at Silver Rail Elementary School: I locked the door and I went back behind our lockers, as all my classmates did the same. All of my classmates and my teacher were safe, but we were definitely scared, and most people were crying. And it was really hard.

Late today, Bend's police chief, Mike Krantz, said at a press conference that the shooter broke through the school's security.

He fired multiple rounds into the glass panes in the doors to gain access to the school. The suspect went directly into the classroom immediately to the left of the entry doors, where he fired as many as 15 rounds.

By the time police entered the school, the suspect was already dead. The 16-year-old shooter's identity was confirmed today, and the shotgun he allegedly used was registered to his mother. Authorities say he was killed by a bystander who'd seen the suspect enter the school, followed him in and shot him.

Multiple news reports identified that man as Kaylub Giamanco. According to his mother, he has two daughters who attend Silver Rail. Many local officials praised Giamanco's intervention. And President Trump weighed in today, calling Giamanco a hero, adding -- quote -- "Otherwise, it would have been much worse.