A disabled seven-year-old girl is now in stable condition after being shot in the face by 16-year-old Griffin John II at Silver Rail Elementary.
Saylor Graham was inside the special needs classroom when John opened fire on Thursday, striking her in the face and leaving her in critical condition.
Graham, who uses a wheelchair, has since been listed in stable condition. She is currently recovering at a Portland hospital, and the family has asked for privacy.
The seven-year-old has a rare gene mutation called CASK, which impacts her physical and cognitive development. The CASK gene helps make a protein that plays an important role in brain development, Sparrow Clubs USA said.
The condition has left Saylor non-verbal and largely wheelchair-bound, although she can walk on her own at times, the club said. She also has heightened sensory sensitivities and dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult.
Saylor is one of two children in Oregon with the disease.
Graham's family is also friends with hero dad, Kaylub Giamanco, 36, who ran into the school to stop John's rampage.
The little girl is known for her pink glasses and her 'fierce determination to thrive,' the Central Oregon Daily News and a GoFundMe set up for her family said.
Saylor Graham was shot in the face on Thursday inside Silver Rail Elementary School
Graham is largely wheelchair-bound and suffers from a gene mutation called CASK
'Saylor survived a tragedy no child should ever have to endure,' a family friend wrote on the fundraiser, which has garnered nearly $300,000 in a day. A second GoFundMe has also raised $265,000 for the little girl.
'Saylor is a feisty, loving child with numerous medical needs, and this unimaginable trauma has brought medical expenses and uncertainty to her family during an already difficult time.'
Graham's parents are by their daughter's side as she recovers, the fundraiser said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the family for comment.
Matt Sampson, the executive director of Bend High School, said Graham had a bubbly personality and his students care deeply about the little girl, he told the Daily News.
Graham has been a part of the high school's Sparrow program since December 2024. Students help raise money for her medical bills.
'She opened their eyes to new perspectives, and she really just unified that school,' Sampson said.
'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... She's just very inspirational, very joyful, very courageous, and inspirational.
Griffin John II, 16, killed three students and one teacher on Thursday. He also injured Graham and another teacher
The little girl is known for her pink glasses and her 'fierce determination to thrive.' She is pictured with her mother
Alongside Graham, 54-year-old educational assistant Becky Drury was also injured
'She's a fighter.'
Alongside Graham, 54-year-old educational assistant Becky Drury was also injured in the shooting on Thursday.
Three students, ages five, eight and 11, and one teacher were killed by the former student.
The five-year-old was identified by his father as Rhoam Summer. The teacher was Meghan Lambert, 25.
Police said that John was so intent on targeting his former classroom that he ran around to the back entrance after being fired upon while trying to go in through the front.
John, who was not enrolled in a Bend public school at the time, traveled to Silver Rail Elementary on foot. The route is being investigated.
He threw the Maverick 88, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, over the fence before jumping over but found himself blocked from entering.
He then ran to the back entrance and blasted his way in through a 'safety vestibule' system designed to keep children at the school safe from shooters.
Three students – ages five, eight and 11 – and one teacher were killed by the former student. The five-year-old was identified by his father as Rhoam Summer. The teacher was Meghan Lambert, 25
Kaylub Giamanco, a father, followed John into the school and shot him dead after spotting the teen while driving home on his lunch break
Law enforcement remained unsure as to how John obtained his ammunition, saying the investigation was 'very active.'
Giamanco, who was driving home on his lunch break, spotted John and intervened by running inside the school and killing him. He holds a concealed carry permit.
John still managed to fire off several rounds before being killed.
John used his mother's shotgun to carry out the massacre, which police said was bought about the time of his 16th birthday.
His motive is currently unknown.