Family identifies 5-year-old killed in Oregon school shooting

The family of 5-year-old Rhoam Summer has identified him as one of three children killed when a teenage gunman opened fire Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. A teacher also died, and a child and another teacher were critically injured.

“The worst day of my life. My son Rhoam was killed in a school shooting,” Kelik Summer wrote in a Facebook group Thursday night, according to CBS News and NBC News. “We are broken and lost, but are surrounded by friends and family who are keeping us safe.” The outlets gave conflicting descriptions of Kelik Summer’s relationship to Rhoam: CBS identified Summer as his father, while NBC identified Summer as his mother.

The shooting occurred at Silver Rail Elementary School. The other children killed were 8 and 11 years old, CBS reported. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to St. Charles Medical Center with critical injuries, according to CBS. Their names were not immediately released by authorities.

The injured teacher’s husband identified her as Rebecca Drury, NBC reported. In a statement, he thanked people for their support and said his family’s focus was on his wife, whom he called Becky, and her recovery. “We respectfully ask for privacy and space as we navigate the days ahead,” he wrote.

Several parents told NBC the shooting happened in a special education classroom, though police had not confirmed that detail. NBC also reported that the injured 7-year-old uses a wheelchair. Kyle Giamanco, who said he is friends with the child’s family, told NBC the child was shot in the face and was recovering from surgery.

The gunman, described by CBS as a 16-year-old male, was shot and killed by an armed bystander, police said. Two law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation identified the suspect to CBS as John Griffin of Bend. Police had not announced a motive or said whether the suspect had a connection to the school as of Thursday night.

The bystander was Kaylub Giamanco, whose two daughters attend the school, his family told CBS. His brother Kyle told NBC that Kaylub, 36, does not feel like a hero and feels guilty he could not save more people. In a statement to CBS, the family said Kaylub was “not seeking recognition” and thanked first responders, school personnel and the community for their support.

At a community vigil Thursday, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said, “There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today.” Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals appeared around the school, CBS reported. Police were expected to hold a news conference Friday afternoon.