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Bend and Central Oregon News, Sports, Business, Features, and Weather. Serving Central Oregon since 1903.

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Hundreds of people mourned three children and a teacher killed in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School during a candlelight vigil Friday night at Peace Corner in downtown Bend.

The vigil organizer Marissa Hurley said her children knew some of the victims and that she wanted to continue to provide a space for the grieving community after the first vigil at Drake Park.

"I think everyone always goes to moments of silence in tragedy, but we wanted to have a bit of an extended one for people to cry and find community and support,” Hurley said. “We are not alone in tragedy, and the community has really rallied in tremendous, tremendous ways.”

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon offered its space for anyone who needed it after the vigil.

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍ Sydney Seymour/The Bulletin
🎥 Sydney Seymour/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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Hundreds of people gathered Friday night at Peace Corner downtown Bend for a vigil, holding lit candles and observing moments of silence for the victims of the school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School.

Marissa Hurley, a volunteer with 50501 Central Oregon, told the Bulletin she organized the vigil and her kids, an 8-year-old and a 14-year-old, knew some of the victims of the shooting.

“My kids knew some of the children, and their parents,” Hurley said. “I found myself, like others here, that I don’t know how to talk to them about it. And I had to really think about what to say. It was hard to find the words to tell your children about something that tragic, especially about someone they know.”

She continued, “They’re not used to devastating circumstances like that. That had them in a completely different world today.”

At the vigil, a boy in a purple Silver Rail Elementary School sweatshirt helped pass out candles. Some people pet therapy dogs while others cried, hugged, joined hands and held lit candles for about an hour of mostly silence. A few people sang songs like “This Little Light of Mine” and “Amazing Grace.”

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍ Sydney Seymour/The Bulletin
📸 Brian Rathbone/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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18 hours ago

Bend Police released information about some of the victims of Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary.

Bend police confirmed that 5-year-old Rhoam Summer was one of the victims. According to the Associated Press, Summer is the youngest victim of a school shooting in the United States dating back to at least 1966.

Two other students, ages 8 and 11, were also killed Thursday. Bend police said Friday their families asked that their identities not be released.

Rhoam’s father Kelik Summer posted a message on Facebook.

“Today has been the worst day of my life. My son Rhoam was killed in a school shooting. We are broken and lost, but are surrounded by friends and family who are keeping us safe,” Summer posted to the social media site.

A 7-year-old student and Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher, are in critical condition, the student at Oregon Health & Science University hospital and Drury at St. Charles Bend.

Police confirmed that the teacher who was killed was 25-year-old Megan Lambert, who also coached with the Central Oregon Volleyball Club.

According to a statement from her family, read by police, Lambert turned down pay for her first season as a volleyball coach so families who couldn’t afford to participate could have the chance to play the sport.

“Her goal was to be an educator, and teach in the school district she loved growing up in,” according to the statement. “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.”

Friends of Lambert also reacted to tragedy when contacted by the Bulletin.

“She was one of the most kind, beautiful people ever,” said Heidi Wood, who coached with her. “Kids adored her as a coach because she cared so much. Not just on the court but off the court as well. She loves them no matter what their situation was.”

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍ Bulletin staff
📸 Contributed/Bend Police Department

Pictured in order: Rhoam Summer, Megan Lambert and Becky Drury by @bendbulletin

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The morning after a fatal mass shooting at a Bend elementary school, close to 200 people gathered at the Central Library to receive support from the county’s health services, according to Deschutes County Health Services Director Holly Harris at a Friday afternoon press conference.

Deschutes County Health Services, St. Charles Health System and Bend-La Pine Schools will continue to offer free support services from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Larkspur Community Center.

The county is seeking qualified mental health professionals for help and donated food, refreshments and practical supplies to support those participating in response and recovery efforts. Community members who want to get involved can fill out an online form on the county website and donate online.

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍ Sydney Seymour/The Bulletin
📸 Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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2 P.M. UPDATE: The Bend teen who shot into Silver Rail Elementary School and killed three students and a teacher was identified Friday as Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old who previously attended Silver Rail.

John lived in the Old Farm District neighborhood near the elementary school. Police say he walked on foot toward the school, then shot at a vehicle just outside Silver Rail about 12:59 p.m. Thursday. The caller, whose vehicle was shot at, said John then walked across the street, threw a gun over a fence and then jumped over and walked toward the school.

Police said the gun was a Maverick 88 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun.

A minute later John forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School by shooting through window panes on a door on the side of the building. Police say John entered the first classroom he came to and shot roughly 15 times with various ammunition. The classroom was for special needs students and John had previously been taught in that room.

John participated in the High Desert Education Service District and Bend La Pine Schools NEST program in 2020 for students with intensive behavioral and social skill challenges, according to a 2020 story from KTVZ21.

Once in the classroom, John shot and killed three students — ages 5, 8 and 11. He also shot and killed a teacher, 25-year-old Meghan Lambert. He also shot and injured a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher. Police said John shot everyone who was in the classroom and was in a physical altercation with another teacher when he was shot and killed by Kaylub Giamanco, who witnessed the shooting outside the school and followed John into the building. Police said John had 44 rounds remaining when he was killed.

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍ Bulletin staff
📸 Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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The man who shot the teen gunman during Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary is Kaylub Giamanco, family members confirmed on Friday.

Giamanco, 36, is a carpenter who lives in Bend. His two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary.

In a statement read to reporters on Friday, Kaylub’s mother Kenda Freeman said her son would not speak to the media.

At a news conference hours after Thursday’s attack, Gov. Tina Kotek — without naming him — praised Giamanco for following the gunman into the school, saying he helped end the rampage and likely saved lives as police began arriving on the scene.

“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life: Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,” said Kotek.

President Donald Trump praised Giamanco Friday when asked questions by reporters.

“There was a great hero, and as bad as it was, we had a great hero that went in and did the business. He took care of business, and thank God we had him, otherwise it would have been much worse,” he said. “It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it.”

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍Noemi Arellano-Summer/The Bulletin
📸 Facebook by @bendbulletin

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a day ago

Hundreds of people gathered in Drake Park and held candles at a vigil Thursday night for the victims of the school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend.

A teacher and three children were killed just hours earlier by what Bend Police say was teen gunman who was later shot and killed by a bystander. A teacher and another child remain in critical condition at St. Charles Bend.

Gov. Tina Kotek and Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler spoke to the approximately 500 people gathered in the park.

“Usually I would say it’s wonderful to see so many people from our community come together, but this is a day that every mayor dreads,” said Kebler. “This is a dark day. An awful day. And a day that will impact so many of us so, so deeply ... there are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today.”

Calming music played from speakers as people stood and listened, occasional quiet crying coming from the crowd. Children ran in circles on the grass as people spread blankets to sit on.

“There is power and love in this park tonight,” said Kotek. “No parent, no family, no community, should have to have this kind of day.”

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and more coverage.

✍Noemi Arellano-Summer/The Bulletin
📸 Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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6:30 P.M. UPDATE: Three students and a teacher were shot and killed Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary by a teen gunman who was later killed by a bystander.

Bend Police first heard reports of a shot fired into a car at 12:59 p.m., said spokesperson Sheila Miller at a press conference Thursday night. According to Bend Police, the 16-year-old Bend resident shot through locked school doors, got inside the building and then opened fire.

Soon after, the intruder was shot and killed by a bystander who saw the teen enter the building with what police described only as a “long gun.” Officers arrived, pronounced the shooter dead, and rendered medical aid to the victims.

Police did not confirm the identity of the Bend teen who shot the students, or if he had any affiliation with the school or its students. Police have also not yet released the identity of the bystander.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, Governor Tina Kotek, City of Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steve Cook spoke about the incident at a news conference Thursday evening.

Krantz noted that there will be an increased law enforcement presence around Silver Rail Elementary School for the next several days as police officers continue to investigate the shooting.

“In August every Bend police officer went through a full day of active threat training at a local high school,” Krantz said. “Unfortunately this is something we train for on a regular basis and we must.”

Crisis counselors from across the region will offer support to anyone that needs it starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at Bend’s Central Library.

Visit the link in our bio to read the full, developing story.

✍️ Bulletin staff
📸 Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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A fatal shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School sent shockwaves through Bend on Thursday afternoon, as anxious parents scrambled for information about their children and nearby schools went into precautionary lockdowns.

Hundreds gathered near the school as police and fire crews converged on the area. Parents watched their phones for updates, desperate for information about what was happening inside.

Students were eventually bused to Journey Church to reunite with their parents.

Brenda Skelton, a grandmother trying to locate her two grandsons, said she was told she could not enter the school.

“I just got a call saying the school has an active shooter and we can’t go in,” Skelton said. “I’m feeling very nervous and very scared.”

“I wish they would give out more information because we’re kind of in the blind right now,” she added.

“I didn't think this would ever happen, but here we are," Keith Marzak said, moments after reuniting with his daughter who is in kindergarten. "It's just a very confusing time."

Visit the link in our bio for the full story and our website for live coverage.

✍ Michael Kohn/The Bulletin
🎥 Sydney Seymour/The Bulletin

#bendbulletin by @bendbulletin

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2 days ago

5:30 PM UPDATE: Three students and a teacher were shot and killed Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary by a teen gunman who was later killed by a bystander.

Bend Police confirmed at a press conference Thursday night that the three students — ages 5, 8, and 11 — died at the scene after a 16-year-old Bend resident entered the school and opened fire. A teacher was also killed. A 7-year-old student and a 51-year-old teacher were critically injured and transported to St. Charles in Bend.

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After a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary, Bend Police have confirmed that an active shooter is dead and multiple people, including children, are injured. Bend medics have transported at least two people to St. Charles Bend Thursday afternoon.

Visit bendbulletin.com for live updates.

✍️ Bulletin staff
📸 Brian Rathbone/The Bulletin by @bendbulletin

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Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, here is a 2026 guide for how to vote in Deschutes County.

There is plenty of future shake-up in the county due to this election, with the next sheriff, two county commissioners, treasurer, circuit court judge and clerk all to be decided at the county level. A contentious district map measure will decide the future of elections for county commissioners.

Redmond voters will decide on a mayor and three city council members, as well as a psilocybin moratorium measure. Bend voters will vote for the city’s mayor and two city council members. La Pine voters will decide on mayor and two city council seats.

Ballots are sent by mail Oct. 14, and you can vote in-person at the county clerk’s office, or drop your ballot in the mail or a drop-box throughout Oregon. You must register to vote by Oct. 13. Drop-boxes open Oct. 16. Ballots are then sent to the county clerk’s office for verification and counting. The colored stripe on the envelope denotes the county it goes to; Deschutes County’s is magenta.

Deschutes County will have 12 drop-box locations throughout the county: seven in Bend, two in Redmond and one each in Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine.

Visit the link in our bio to read our guide on how to vote in Deschutes County.

✍ Noemi Arellano-Summer/The Bulletin
📸 Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin

#bendbulletin #howtovote #vote #deschutescounty #electionseason by @bendbulletin

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Today is Day 2 of announcing Bend's top businesses in Services! 🛠️👷 Congratulations to all of our winners - and thank you to everyone who voted!

For the full 2026 Best of Bend Guide, comment GUIDE or check the link in bio!

#bestofbend #bestofbend2026 #bendbulletin #bendoregon #local | Comment 'GUIDE' to read more by @bendbulletin

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