Megan Lambert, 25-year-old victim of Oregon elementary school shooting, was a first-time teacher working her 'dream job'

One of the victims of a shooting at an Oregon elementary school has been identified as a first-time teacher in her 20s. At a press conference on Friday (Oct. 16), officials in Bend city identified the teacher as 25-year-old Megan Lambert. The teacher's family said that her role at the Silver Rail Elementary School was her "dream job." The school shooting, which occurred on Thursday (Oct. 15), left four people, including three children, dead.

'An incredible sister and daughter'

Lambert's family said in a statement that she was a native Central Oregonian, who grew up in Bend, describing her as someone who "was compassionate and had a huge heart." Lambert "had a passion for playing sports, especially volleyball. She was a volleyball coach," the family added, according to WNEP.


"She always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. She was an incredible sister, daughter, niece and granddaughter. Her friends became her family. She was funny and opinionated, and she lit up the room."

Other victims of the shooting

The other victims of the shooting were boys aged 5, 8, and 11. The youngest of them has been identified as Rhoam Summer, whose family said they were "broken and lost" after the child's killing. "There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, and no family should ever have to experience a loss like this," a GoFundMe page for Rhoam's family said.

The shooting occurred in a special needs classroom, which the attacker had previously attended, officials said. A 7-year-old girl and a 54-year-old teacher suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz earlier said.

One teacher threw her phone at the gunman, then tackled and fought him, likely saving lives, police chief Krantz had said. She was not injured. Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father whose two girls study at the school, shot the attacker dead minutes after the first 911 call was made. Local law enforcement officers and members of the community have hailed Giamanco as a hero.

Who was the Bend school shooter?

The shooter has since been identified by police as Griffin J John, a 16-year-old former student at the Silver Rail Elementary School. The gun used by the shooter, a Maverick 88 pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, had been purchased by his mother in August. The gunman had another 44 rounds of ammunition in his possession, police said.