According to the New York Post, a photo of 16-year-old shooter John J. Griffin II—who carried out a deadly shooting at an Oregon elementary school—has been released for the first time. In the image, he stares directly into the camera with a cold, somber expression.
The photo was posted on Facebook by Griffin’s mother, Shauntai May Nickerson, on September 10—more than a month before he opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School this past Thursday, killing three students and one teacher.
In the picture, Griffin, who sports a thin mustache and wears an oversized hooded sweatshirt, stands beside his mother in front of a waterfall, looking sullen and displeased.
The mother and son also appeared in a 2020 news report regarding a special education program called “NEST” within the Bend-La Pine School District, designed to help students return to the classroom following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides targeted support for students facing significant behavioral and social challenges.
In an interview with NewsChannel 10 at the time, Nickerson explained that her son, then 10 years old, was struggling with remote learning at home.
“I think this will be really helpful for Griffin, because I’m not trained to teach students with special needs,” Nickerson said. “I also think it will be very beneficial for him to get the help he requires from teachers who have the professional expertise.”
Law enforcement sources stated that Griffin carried out the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Thursday afternoon using a 12-gauge Maverick 88 pump-action shotgun, which was allegedly purchased by his mother.