16-Year-Old Identified as Oregon School Shooter; Mother Bought Weapon
Police identified the 16-year-old suspect in the Bend elementary school shooting as John J. Griffin II, and say his mother purchased the shotgun used in the attack.
Police have identified the 16-year-old suspect in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend as John J. Griffin II, according to three senior law-enforcement sources. The teenager allegedly fired a pump-action shotgun, killing three children aged 5, 8 and 11 and a teacher, while a 7-year-old child and another teacher were critically injured. Officials said the gun was bought by the suspect's mother around his birthday in August and that she has been cooperative with investigators.
The shooter is reported to have fired through a locked door to enter the school at approximately 1 p.m. local time. An armed bystander later shot the teen, ending the attack. Local authorities plan to hold a press conference at 5 p.m. on Friday to provide further updates.
"There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today," Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said at a community vigil held hours after the incident.