Seven-year-old Saylor Graham-Poarch is stable after being critically wounded in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, according to a fundraiser organized for her family.
Saylor was shot in the face during Thursday’s attack, which killed three children and a teacher. Her parents have remained beside her as she recovers in the hospital.
A family friend says the little girl, known for her happiness and determination, now faces a lengthy recovery.
“She is in recovery and it will be a long road for her and her family,” Trisa Lovejoy told The Oregonian on Sunday.
Loved ones rally around Saylor and her parents
Lovejoy, who organized a GoFundMe for the family, described Saylor as a child whose personality brings happiness to those around her.
“Saylor is an amazing spirit and represents joy and love and unbridled happiness,” she said. “She is loved and supported by her family all around the world.”
According to The U.S. Sun, Lovejoy’s fundraiser had collected more than $531,000 at the time of reporting. A separate fundraiser for the family had raised over $360,000.
Both of Saylor’s parents are self-employed. Lovejoy explained that their ability to work has been limited by their daughter’s medical needs.
The fundraising efforts come as her parents focus on supporting her through treatment and recovery.
A childhood already marked by determination
Before the shooting, Saylor was living with hypotonic cerebral palsy and a rare CASK-related genetic condition affecting brain development.
A 2024 video from Sparrow Clubs shared details about her daily life, including focal seizures and difficulty swallowing. Saylor often uses a wheelchair, although she has also learned to walk independently — something her parents had been told she would never do.
She is nonverbal and has been learning to communicate using an iPad.
Sparrow Clubs connects children with significant medical needs and their families with student volunteers. Through the program, Bend Senior High School students complete community service that unlocks financial support from donors.
The organization’s video presented Saylor as a child who continued smiling and enjoying life despite the uncertainty surrounding her conditions.
Four victims died, and two others were injured
The attack unfolded around 1 p.m. Thursday when a 16-year-old former student entered Silver Rail Elementary and opened fire in a special education classroom.
Three children, aged five, eight and 11, were killed, along with 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert.
Lambert’s family described her as compassionate and funny, saying she advocated for people with special needs. Working at the school had been her “dream job,” they said.
The youngest child killed was identified as five-year-old Rhoam Summer.
Alongside Saylor, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury was hospitalized. Police described Drury’s injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
Police recognize those who intervened
Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father whose two daughters attend the school, fatally shot the attacker, according to police.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz also credited an unidentified teacher who tackled the gunman. She was not injured during that intervention.
“She almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed,” Krantz said.
Police said the gunman’s parents were cooperating with investigators.
For Saylor’s family, the immediate priority remains her recovery. Loved ones have emphasized both the challenges ahead and the support surrounding a little girl they describe as a source of joy.
