Parents of Oregon School Shooting Victim Hire Attorneys to Investigate Accountability

The parents of a five-year-old boy killed in the Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, have hired a legal team to investigate the circumstances of the attack. Their own investigation will look at the school’s safety procedures, the teenager’s access to the gun used in the shooting and whether any lapses contributed to the tragedy.

The announcement comes as the community mourns the deaths of three children and a teacher killed in the attack. A bystander intervened in the incident and shot and killed the suspect, 16-year-old Griffin J. John II. Reports that the teenager’s mother bought the shotgun and gave it to him as a birthday present have only raised questions about access to firearms and parental responsibility. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive for the assault.

Family of 5-Year-Old Victim Demands Answers, Accountability

Rhoam Summer’s parents, Kelik and Lillian Summer, have hired lawyers to examine whether the shooting could have been prevented and whether any parties may be legally liable. An independent investigation, separate from the criminal investigation by law enforcement, would be launched, their legal team stated.

Lawyers will look at the circumstances that enabled the gunman to enter the school, the safety measures that were in place at the time, and the response to the attack. They also will examine potential legal liability of the school district or others. There is no indication of negligence or legal liability.

Rhoam was one of three children aged five, eight and eleven who were killed along with 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert. Reports say two other people, a seven-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher, were critically injured.

Through their lawyers, the Summers issued a statement describing their son as a bright, kind, and curious child with wide-ranging interests. They said he was excited to go to a pumpkin patch, learn to ride horses, play an instrument, and dress up as a bunny for Halloween.

The family’s investigation is to learn what happened and if changes in school procedure or other safeguards could prevent similar tragedies. Identifying possible failures and seeking accountability are central to what they do, their lawyers say.

Birthday Gift Report Raises Questions About How Teen Got Shotgun

The weapon used in the shooting has been the focus of the investigation. The suspect’s mother, Shauntai Nickerson, legally purchased the 12-gauge pump-action shotgun in August 2026 and gave it to her son as a birthday gift for recreational purposes, CBS News reported, citing sources.

The report has raised questions about how a minor got access to the weapon and whether relevant firearm laws and safeguards were followed. Under Oregon law, minors may possess shotguns in some cases through the provision or consent of their parents. The exact details of the purchase, transfer, and storage of the firearm are still under investigation.

The lawyers for the Summers family said they want to trace the gun back to the original seller and determine whether the seller knew it was intended for a minor. They have also challenged the circumstances under which the purchaser was allowed to purchase the firearm.

They are questions to be investigated, not established findings of malfeasance. There is no indication in the reports that the purchase of the gun was illegal or that the mother or seller knew that an attack was being planned.

Authorities are also looking into the suspect’s digital footprint, including his computer, phone, social media and search history, to try to determine what led to the shooting. Police have not publicly identified a motive.

Review of School Security Procedures and District Accountability

Also under scrutiny will be the security measures at Silver Rail Elementary and whether they were adequate to keep students and staff safe. The gunman entered the building by shooting through locked doors, police said, then went into a classroom where the victims were attacked.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said the district bought security cameras, door locks, fencing and other protective infrastructure. He also said schools run lockdown drills with students and staff twice a year.

Cook pledged to review what is already in place and what needs to be done to increase safety. After the shooting, classes and activities in the district were suspended for two days, and the latest reports said the district was still reviewing the school’s future arrangements.

Lawyers for the family are investigating whether the school had a sufficient active-shooter protocol and whether its security procedures were followed. The civil investigation could result in potential claims, but the investigation has not yet found that any particular school policy or action caused the deaths.

The legal process will run parallel with the police investigation which is looking at how the attack was carried out and what the suspect did. Taken together, these questions may help shed light on how the teen got into the school, how the weapon was obtained, and whether any changes could reduce the likelihood of future attacks.

Accountability, support for those impacted and practical steps to improve school safety are the primary issues for families and residents in Bend.

For factual corrections, see our corrections policy.

MICHAEL GRANT

ABOUT AUTHOR

Contributor credited in the Investment Banking blog archive. The linked sources explain the basis of this post.