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The parents of one of three children killed in last week’s shooting at an Oregon elementary school have hired lawyers. The goal is to explore Silver Rail Primary Schooland protocols and how the gunman, 16-year-old Griffin J. John II, he got his weapon. Roam Samhradh5, was one of three children who died along with a teacher Thursday in Bend, Oregon. The other two children who died were also ages 8 and 11. A fourth student and another teacher were injured, police said.
STORIES: Prayers Up! Three children, one teacher killed in Oregon elementary school shooting (VIDEOS)
Victim’s parents hire lawyers after shooting
Rhoam’s parents, Click and Lillian summerinitially hired attorneys Friday to respond to media interview requests, Tim Williams, a personal injury attorney in Bend and co-lead counsel for Parents, said in a phone interview. The boy’s parents released their own statement remembering their son as strong and kind with a love for rainbows and unicorns along with sharks and dinosaurs.
“He was 5 years old,” the statement said. “He wanted to go to the pumpkin patch, learn to ride a horse, learn to play an instrument, and be a bunny for Halloween.”
It’s interesting how the shooter, a small man, got access to his weapon, Williams said.
A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting last week told The Associated Press that the shotgun was purchased by his mother. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
“We don’t know if the shooter’s mother had a right to have a gun. We don’t know if the seller was aware that the firearm was being purchased for a minor,” Williams said, adding that “there are a number of issues out there that we’re trying to stop.”
Under Oregon law, a minor can own a firearm. However, a parent gives it, or another adult gets a parent’s permission to buy it. the attacker’s mother, Shauntai Nickersondid not respond to messages from The Associated Press. Nickerson said Friday that if she had done something to prevent the shooting, she would have.
At the same time, the police said that John entered the school by shooting through locked doors. Authorities said he was not currently registered in the Bend-La Pine area. However, he had once been a special needs student at school.
Lawyers launch investigation after Oregon school shooting
The lawyers announced the investigation on Saturday (October 17), saying it will examine various issues. That includes whether the school had an active shooting protocol. Also, how the gunman obtained the 12-gauge shotgun he allegedly used in the attack and where it was originally purchased.
Attorney Williams said they are trying to determine whether the school district is “victimized or not.” If he is responsible, he said, they will try “work with the school district to come to some kind of decision, you know, and resolution, preventing this from happening again in the future.”
School Officials Talk About Safety Precautions
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook Friday that the school district has “invested heavily” in security cameras, door locks, fencing and other security measures.
“We practice lockers with students and staff twice a year at all schools,” Cook said. “We are certain that we will take a hard look at everything we have done, and what more needs to be done to ensure that our students, our staff and our families are safe in our schools.”
Classes and activities were canceled across the district on Monday and Tuesday. No reopening plan has been announced for Silver Rail.
RELATED: Social media calls for 16-year-old Oregon school shooter’s mother to be arrested for buying weapon used in attack
Associated Press Writer Josh Kelety contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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