Crime
Christopher Rowell kills 3 women, shoots himself in Hilliard home, 5-year-old daughter able to escape
Sources have confirmed that one of the victims is Marissa Rowell, Christopher Rowell’s wife.
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — A man fatally shot three women inside a Hilliard home Thursday evening before turning the gun on himself in a suspected murder-suicide, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
During a Friday morning press conference, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper described the incident as both “tragic” and “heartbreaking.”
The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. at a residence on West 12th Avenue.
Authorities were alerted to the situation when a 5-year-old girl reportedly walked from the home to a neighbor’s house and informed them that 34-year-old Christopher Rowell had killed three women inside.
Deputies quickly responded and entered the residence. While conducting a search of the home, officers discovered a woman lying in a pool of blood between the living room and dining room.
As deputies rendered aid to the victim, they noticed Rowell nearby, also lying in blood with a gunshot wound to the head.
An SKS-style rifle was found beside him.
Deputies noted that Rowell still had a faint pulse and immediately called for medical assistance.
Further searching revealed two additional female victims—one located in a bathroom, and the other in a bedroom.
All three women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Leeper confirmed that the women were related in some capacity, though he declined to specify the nature of their relationships pending official family notifications.
However, sources have confirmed that one of the victims is Marissa Rowell, Christopher Rowell’s wife.
Christopher Rowell was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, where he remains under medical care. His exact condition has not been updated.
The 5-year-old girl, who miraculously was not physically harmed in the attack, is now in the custody of relatives.
Sheriff Leeper described the child as “a very strong and beautiful little girl” who is understandably in shock from the traumatic ordeal.
“This little girl has endured something no child should ever have to witness,” Leeper said. “She is going to need love, support, and a lot of help in the coming years. I just ask everyone to please keep her in your prayers.”
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and is expected to release additional details as the case develops.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.