The three children and a teacher killed in a special education classroom at an Oregon elementary school Thursday included a 5-year-old boy whose family said they are “broken and lost” after the shooting.
Rhoam Summer, a 5-year-old with long curly hair, was identified as one of the victims by a family member. The shooting occurred at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday. Officials said an armed bystander fatally shot the teen gunman, putting an end to the shooting spree.
Rhoam’s mother, Kelik Summer posted to a Facebook group last night, saying Thursday was “the worst day of my life. My son Rhoam was killed in a school shooting.”
“We are broken and lost, but are surrounded by friends and family who are keeping us safe,” Summer wrote.
Several parents told NBC News the shooting happened in a special education classroom. Police have not confirmed that detail.
A 7-year-old who was in a wheelchair and another teacher were also critically injured in the shooting.
“There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today,” Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said at a community vigil hours after the tragedy.
The injured teacher was identified by her husband as Rebecca Drury.
“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes following yesterday’s tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary,” he wrote in a statement. “The kindness and concern shown to our family and everyone affected mean more than we can express.”
“Right now, our focus is on my wife, Becky, and her recovery, and on supporting our family through an unimaginably difficult time,” he wrote. “We respectfully ask for privacy and space as we navigate the days ahead.”
The person who took down the gunman was identified as Kaylub Giamanco, 36, a father of two whose students attend the elementary school, his brother, Kyle Giamanco, told NBC News.
Kaylub Giamanco is a hero, his brother said. Part of the reason his brother does not want to speak out is because he doesn’t feel like a hero — he can’t get the children out of his head and feels guilty he didn’t save more people, Kyle Giamanco said.
Kyle Giamanco also said he is friends with the family of the 7-year-old child who is in the hospital. The child, who is in a wheelchair and was shot in the face, is recovering from surgery.