Crime
Former Teacher James Andrew McGann Arrested Mid-Haircut for Double Homicide at Devil’s Den State Park
LOWELL, Ark. — A 28-year-old former elementary school teacher, James Andrew McGann, has been arrested and charged with two counts of Capital Murder in connection with the brutal killings of an Arkansas couple at Devil’s Den State Park.
The Arkansas State Police (ASP) confirmed that McGann, a resident of Springdale, was taken into custody without incident at approximately 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, at a business in Springdale.
Authorities say he is responsible for the double homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 26, at the popular hiking destination in West Fork, Arkansas.
The victims, 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink, were fatally stabbed while hiking with their two daughters, ages 7 and 9.
The children were unharmed and are currently in the care of family members.
Investigators believe the parents were attacked in an apparent attempt to protect their children from a potential threat posed by McGann.
Arrest at Local Business: Hair Salon Becomes Crime Scene
According to authorities, McGann was apprehended inside a salon in Springdale.
Adriana Ruiz Avalos, the hairstylist who was attending to McGann at the time, described the unsettling moment law enforcement entered.
“I was in the middle of cutting his hair when detectives came in and got him,” she told Channel2 NOW. “I was shaking. They told me not to sweep up the hair—they might need it as evidence.”
Police also confiscated the chair McGann had been sitting in during the arrest.
Disturbing Past: Former Teacher with Alleged Misconduct
The arrest has raised troubling questions about McGann’s background.
Before relocating to Arkansas, McGann worked as a 4th-grade teacher at Donald Elementary in Lewisville, Texas.
He allegedly resigned under pressure after concerns about inappropriate behavior toward young girls in his classroom. Rather than facing disciplinary action, McGann was reportedly allowed to leave quietly, avoiding formal consequences.
Shortly after, he secured a position at Bayyari Elementary School in Springdale, Arkansas, under the name “Drew McGann.” On June 12, the school publicly welcomed him via social media, introducing him as a new third-grade teacher. “I am thrilled to be part of the Bayyari team this year,” he wrote in a post. “I love going to concerts, working out, and being outdoors.”
His ability to obtain new employment under a variation of his name and without red flags being raised has drawn concern from parents and education officials alike.
There is growing scrutiny over whether McGann intentionally rebranded himself to distance from his troubling past—potentially putting more children at risk.
Timeline of Professional Background
Originally from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, McGann graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
According to past social media posts, he previously worked as a substitute teacher in Tulsa County and completed student teaching at Broken Arrow Public Schools in 2022.
Court Proceedings & Ongoing Investigation
Following his arrest, McGann was booked into the Washington County Jail, where he remains in custody.
He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on August 1, according to Washington County Prosecutor Brandon Carter.
The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, and state police are continuing to gather evidence.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the children were the intended targets, though early findings suggest the parents were killed while attempting to shield them.
This case has not only left a family shattered but has also prompted renewed calls for stricter oversight in teacher hiring and background checks across state lines.
Crime
Who Is the Hero Teacher, Threw a Phone at Gunman John J. Griffin II, Tackled Him, and Fought Back During the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting?
Another Unamed Hero in Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting: Teacher throwing phone at gunman Griffin J. John II who attacked , tackling him and fighting him.
Anyone Know Her Name? She Must Be Praised Just Like Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, sustained serious injuries during the deadly school shooting on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Drury suffered gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand and underwent surgery, according to the information shared about the incident.
As Drury begins what could be a lengthy recovery, new details have also emerged about the reported actions of another teacher who allegedly confronted the gunman during the attack. According to the account attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz during a press conference, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and fought back.
The teacher reportedly escaped the confrontation without physical injuries. Officials were said to have clarified that earlier information suggesting the teacher had been injured was incorrect.
Drury was among those injured in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. She sustained injuries to her left arm and right hand and required surgery.
Although the injuries were described as serious, the information provided indicates that she survived the operation. Her recovery may involve additional medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional support as she works to recover from the traumatic experience.
Her family, colleagues, students, and community members are hoping for her continued improvement and a successful recovery.
The shooting has left the school community dealing with grief, fear, and uncertainty. For those injured, the challenges extend beyond immediate medical care, as they and their loved ones face the psychological and emotional consequences of the violence.
Additional details attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz describe the actions of another Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman during the attack.
According to the account provided, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and physically fought back. The teacher was reportedly not injured, contrary to earlier information about the confrontation.
The teacher’s reported actions have drawn attention because confronting an armed attacker can involve extraordinary personal risk. However, the precise sequence of events and the extent to which the confrontation affected the outcome should be established through official statements and investigative findings.
The teacher’s identity has not been provided in the supplied information. Protecting that person’s privacy may be particularly important while the school community and those directly involved continue to process the incident.
The supplied account also identifies Kaylub Giamanco as the person who reportedly shot and killed the suspect during the incident.
The suspect has been identified in earlier reports as John J. Griffin II, a 16-year-old. However, the exact spelling and order of the suspect’s name should be confirmed against official law enforcement records before publication.
The reported intervention by Giamanco and the actions attributed to the unidentified teacher are separate aspects of the developing account. Their precise roles and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death should be described using verified statements from investigators.
As Becky Drury faces recovery, messages of support and prayers are being shared for her and everyone affected by the shooting.
Teachers and school staff often play a central role in supporting children, particularly during frightening and uncertain situations. The reported actions of Drury’s colleague have prompted expressions of appreciation, although the full circumstances should be confirmed before drawing definitive conclusions about what happened.
The emotional impact of a school shooting can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Survivors, families, students, educators, and first responders may need access to counseling, mental health resources, and other forms of assistance.
Community support may also help families and injured staff members manage medical costs, time away from work, and other practical challenges during recovery.
The Silver Rail Elementary School shooting has left the Bend community confronting profound loss and uncertainty. As families mourn those who died, attention is also turning to the survivors who must navigate the difficult process of healing.
Becky Drury’s recovery remains an important concern for her loved ones and colleagues. The unidentified teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman may also need emotional support after experiencing such a traumatic event, even without physical injuries.
Prayers and support are being extended to Becky Drury, her family, the teacher who reportedly intervened, and every student, family, and staff member affected by the tragedy.