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A 7-year-old disabled girl is battling for her life after she was callously targeted by mass shooter Griffin J. John II — but loved ones say the student has always been a “fighter.”
Little Saylor Graham is in serious but stable condition in the wake of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of three other students and a teacher, Central Oregon Daily reported.
She was already well known in the community for her bubbly personality and her pink glasses, and as the high school’s adopted “Sparrow” — meaning the teenagers helped raise money to fund her medical expenses.
“Saylor is the definition of light and joy. And one of those kids that, you know, when she’s in the room. You can’t think of anything else other than what Saylor’s doing; ‘I need to get to know her,'” Matt Sampson, Sparrow USA’s executive director, told the outlet.
“She’s just very inspirational, very joyful, very courageous, and inspirational.”
Saylor was adopted by Bend Senior High School as part of the nationwide program in the 2024-25 academic year.
According to a 2024 announcement, the “sweet, happy, adorable, and resilient” girl battles CASK, a gene mutation that impacts her physical and cognitive development, as well as dysphagia, a disorder that makes it difficult for her to swallow food and drink.
At the time, she was a 5-year-old Kindergartener at Silver Rail Elementary School, the same school where John, 17, would unleash the bloodshed years later.
She was also nonverbal and frequently used a wheelchair, though was able to walk on her own.
As part of the Sparrow program, the high schoolers were encouraged to “earn money for Saylor through sponsored community service, supporting her and cheering her on as her family continues to navigate her medical journey.”
“Saylor was the Sparrow catalyst for Bend High School when she was a Sparrow, and the little girl was used to teach kids things that many of us probably couldn’t have taught them without her,” Sampson told the newspaper.
“She’s a fighter, and we’re praying that she fights through this and her family. I want to express to her family how much we love them and how valuable they are to us,” he continued.
“We’re here for them in whatever way we can be. They’re fighters, and they’ll need a lot of support. I’m so glad this community is giving it to them, but they’re fighters, and I believe in them.”
In a Facebook post by the Central Oregon Daily sharing the story, Kaylub Giamanco, the hero father who fatally shot John during the attack, wrote that he was hoping to connect with the little survivor.
“I would really like to reach out to this family and this beautiful little girl,” Giamanco wrote.
Community members have expressed their prayers for Saylor — and a community fundraiser by a local restaurant is planned for the Sunday.
“We’re coming together for 7-year-old Saylor as she bravely heals from unimaginable tragedy,” Portello Lounge said in a flyer.
Saylor and teacher Becky Drury, 54, are the only two shooting victims who survived — but both remain in serious condition. Saylor was reportedly struck in the face, NBC News reported.
Three students, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, an 8-year-old, and an 11-year-old, and teacher Megan Lambert, 25, were killed.
Investigators say John stormed into the Oregon elementary school’s special education classroom Thursday and fired at least 15 shots before a teacher tackled him to the ground. That’s when Giamanco rushed in and fatally shot him.
Police are still probing what John’s motive for the horrifying attack was, but cops say he went to extreme lengths to carry out the bloodshed.
John’s weapon had been legally purchased by his mother, Shauntai Nickerson, around the time of his August birthday, sources said.