Police records reveal two recent assaults on 16-year-old Bend school shooter

Griffin John II, the 16-year-old boy who killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Oct. 15, had previously reported two instances of physical violence to local police. The shootings occurred in a special-needs classroom before John was killed by a man who had two daughters enrolled at the school.

Bend police records show that in 2022, John told officers he had been bullied at school and assaulted at his home by his sister’s friend. His mother, Shauntai Nickerson, stated that the boy was slapped across the face, causing a tooth to chip, and punched in the back of the head. An officer noted that John appeared to have a cognitive disability due to his nonverbal speech patterns. John explained to the officer that he feared reporting the school bullying because his mother would become upset.

The officer attempted to contact the sister’s friend but found that all associated phone numbers were disconnected. A second officer later visited the friend's residence but was also unable to speak with him. In a separate incident in 2025, John was punched by a man who had a relationship with Nickerson. According to the police report, the man forced his way into the apartment after an argument regarding other women in the man's life.

John told police he intervened to protect his mother after the man refused to leave. The man shoved John twice, causing him to drop his phone, and then slammed him to the ground, wrapping an arm around his head and neck. John reported that the man punched him in the head between 12 and 14 times. The man fled when he learned police were en route.

Nickerson and John decided not to pursue charges in the 2025 incident, telling officers the matter was resolved. Court and police records indicate a history of financial instability and violent encounters involving both parents. Law enforcement is currently investigating John and any potential motive for the Oct. 15 shooting.

The investigation remains active as authorities review the timeline of events leading up to the school shooting.