The 16-year-old suspected gunman who allegedly forced his way into an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, killing four people, has been identified as John J. Bend Police Department Chief Mike Krantz said that the teen gunman used a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother in the deadly attack at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday. The shooting left three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher dead.
Griffin was shot dead by a community member who witnessed the shooting and followed him inside the school, police said. Newsweek has reached out to Bend Police Department for further comment. According to multiple reports, Griffin was 16 and lived in Bend, Oregon.
Griffin's mother, Shauntai May Nickerson, spoke to reporters outside her apartment on Friday, October 16, expressing grief over her son's death and apologizing to the families of the victims. Nickerson also expressed remorse over the tragedy, saying she wished she could have done something to prevent it. The shotgun he used was purchased around the time of Griffin's birthday in August, NBC News reported Friday.
Krantz said the suspect forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors. Nickerson declined to discuss how her son obtained the firearm used in the attack. Investigators have searched the home of the suspect, multiple outlets reported citing law enforcement sources.
Investigators reportedly seized the teen's electronic devices. His mother was interviewed and was cooperative, the Times reported. She reportedly told investigators that Griffin had attended Silver Rail Elementary School.
Investigators have not publicly established a motive. The circumstances surrounding the firearm, Griffin's background and the events leading up to Thursday's shooting remain under investigation. Nickerson had previously spoken publicly about her son's educational needs.
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