Neighbours describe Oregon school shooter as a quiet loner who rarely went out

Bend, Oregon - Neighbors of the suspected school shooter have described him as a quiet and withdrawn individual who rarely interacted with others. According to a neighbor speaking anonymously to AFP, the individual, Griffin J. John II, was often seen dressed in black, appearing serious and hunched over, and rarely spoke. The source states that John had once been a special needs student at Silver Rail Elementary, but was not enrolled in any school at the time of the shooting.

Police say he was killed by an armed bystander, Kaylub Giamanco, who happened to be passing by when gunshots were heard. Neighbors noted that John and his mother, Shauntai Nickerson, kept to themselves, with Nickerson often leaving the apartment in a work apron, suggesting she worked. Both were described as reserved and unsociable, but not alarming.

The family lived on the second floor of a small building, minutes away from the school, where John carried out the mass shooting at approximately 1pm on Thursday. Police arrived at the building about an hour after the shooting, and later interviewed residents about the incident. The tragedy has raised concerns among neighbors about the potential for armed individuals living nearby, with one expressing opposition to gun ownership. The news of the shooting has left the community in shock and sadness.