Oregon School Shooter Griffin John Was Allegedly Beaten Twice Before Deadly Attack, Police Records Reveal

Newly reported police records have shed light on the troubled childhood of Griffin J. John II, the 16-year-old who killed four people at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, earlier this month.

According to records reviewed by NBC News, John was allegedly assaulted on two separate occasions before the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. The reports describe incidents involving a friend of his sister and a man who was romantically involved with his mother.

In 2022, when John was approximately 11 years old, his mother, Shauntai Nickerson, told police that her son’s sister’s friend had slapped him across the face, chipping one of his teeth, and punched him in the back of the head.

John reportedly told officers that the confrontation occurred after he returned home. Police also documented concerns that he had been experiencing bullying at school and was upset about it.

According to the report, John was reluctant to report the bullying because he feared his mother would become upset. Officers attempted to contact the person accused of assaulting him but were unable to reach them.

A second incident occurred in 2025, when John was 15. Police records indicate that he was involved in a physical confrontation with a man his mother had been dating.

Nickerson told police that the dispute began after she argued with the man about his involvement with other women and placed his belongings outside her apartment. The man allegedly returned, forced his way inside and threatened her and her son.

John reportedly told officers that he tried to defend his mother and asked the man to leave. He said the man shoved him to the ground and punched him repeatedly in the head.

The man allegedly left after learning that police were on their way. According to the report, Nickerson and John later decided not to pursue charges, saying the matter had been resolved.

These records provide additional information about the teenager’s earlier experiences, but they do not establish what motivated the school shooting.

On October 15, John entered Silver Rail Elementary School armed with a shotgun and opened fire inside a classroom serving students with special needs. Three children and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert were killed. Another child and a teacher, Becky Drury, were injured.

Police said a teacher confronted and fought the gunman, while a father whose children attended the school followed him inside and fatally shot him.

Investigators continue to examine John’s background and the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities have not established a definitive motive.

The newly reported incidents add to the picture emerging of John’s early life, but investigators have not said that the alleged assaults were directly connected to the massacre.

Source: dailymail