Who was Griffin John II? What we know about 16-year-old Oregon school shooter

BEND, OREGON: Griffin John II, a 16-year-old former student at Silver Rail Elementary School, has been identified as the gunman who opened fire inside a special needs classroom, killing three young boys and a teacher.

The shooting took place on Thursday, October 15, and Bend police shared details about the teenager and the ongoing investigation on Friday.

Authorities are still trying to determine why the teenager attacked the school and how he obtained the shotgun used in the shooting.

Who was Griffin John II, the teen gunman in the Oregon school shooting?

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz identified Griffin John II as a Bend resident who had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary School.

The teenager was no longer enrolled in the school district, but officials confirmed his past connection to the school.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook also told reporters that Griffin had been a special needs student during his time at the school.

According to Krantz, the teenager entered the school on Thursday afternoon carrying a Maverick 88 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.

Before entering the building, he allegedly fired at a truck outside the school.

Investigators have not yet established a motive. Police have also not confirmed how the teenager obtained the weapon.

"Currently, the origin of that possession is what we're working on," Krantz said.

Preliminary information indicated that the shotgun may have been purchased by Griffin's mother, multiple sources told ABC News. However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the weapon's origin.

How the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting unfolded

The shooting began at around 1 pm PT on Thursday, according to Krantz. The teenager allegedly threw the shotgun over a fence outside the school before climbing over it himself.

A person inside a nearby truck noticed the teenager and verbally engaged him, the police chief said. Griffin then allegedly fired at the truck, striking it at least three times, before entering the school.

Once inside, he reportedly shot through a door and entered a classroom, where he opened fire. Krantz said the teenager fired at least 15 rounds inside the classroom.

An unidentified teacher tried to stop the attack by throwing a phone at the suspect, tackling him and attempting to disarm him.

Another bystander, identified by his family as Kaylub Giamanco, also intervened after seeing the teenager enter the school while he was driving past.

Giamanco pursued the shooter and fatally shot him, according to Krantz.

His family said Giamanco has two daughters who attend the school and holds a concealed carry permit.

Police said the teenager had approximately 44 rounds of ammunition remaining on his person and in his backpack. Investigators are continuing to examine the school as part of the investigation.

Who were the victims of the Bend, Oregon school shooting?

The shooting claimed the lives of three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher, Megan Lambert, of Bend.

The youngest victim, five-year-old Rhoam Summer, was identified on Friday. The deaths of the children and their teacher have left the community facing the aftermath of the attack.

Two other people were injured in the shooting.

An unidentified seven-year-old girl was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, while teacher Becky Drury, 54, was being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries as of Friday afternoon, according to the police chief.

The investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and speak with people who may have information about the shooting.

Police stress determining Griffin John II's motive remains a priority

Krantz said investigators had executed search warrants at the teenager's home and were reviewing evidence and conducting interviews. However, authorities have not yet determined what led to the attack.

The police chief acknowledged that finding a clear explanation could take time, and investigators may not uncover every detail.

"I think that's one of the most challenging parts of these types of investigations and cases is determining the why and the motives, and that that is part of the current very active, as I said, open investigation that we're working on," Krantz said.

He added that the investigation would require substantial time, while stressing that understanding the motive remained a priority.

"And as I've said before, we may never get that full answer, but we want it," Krantz said.