Crime
Tania Mangual and 12-Year-Old Son Killed in Akron Shooting, Suspect Brandon Casto in Custody
AKRON, Ohio — A man is in custody following a tragic shooting Saturday evening that left a mother and her 12-year-old son dead in Akron, according to police.
Officers with the Akron Police Department responded at approximately 8:10 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the area of 30 West Wilbeth Road.
Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls, including one from a 49-year-old woman who reported she had been shot but managed to flee the scene.
She later provided investigators with critical information that helped identify the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon T. Casto.
Responding officers soon located a vehicle that had crashed into a tree line on Hemlock Street, just south of West Wilbeth Road.
The vehicle was partially engulfed in flames when authorities arrived.
Inside the car, officers discovered a 12-year-old boy, later identified as Jericho, suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 8:34 p.m.
The driver of the vehicle, 47-year-old Tania Mangual, Jericho’s mother, had also sustained a gunshot wound.
She was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries at approximately 8:50 p.m.
A 2-year-old child, also Mangual’s son, was found inside the vehicle but was not physically injured. He was transported to Akron Children’s Hospital as a precaution.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that further details will be released following notification of next of kin and completion of autopsy examinations.
As part of the investigation, Akron Police Major Crimes Unit detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment associated with the suspect, where they recovered multiple firearms, firearm accessories, and a significant quantity of ammunition.
Investigators later learned that Casto had indicated to acquaintances that he intended to flee the Akron area.
Law enforcement coordinated with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, and Casto ultimately turned himself in to authorities.
He is currently being held at the Southeast Regional Jail in Nelsonville and faces two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault.
Akron Police Chief Brian Harding described the incident as a devastating act of violence that has deeply impacted the community:
“This senseless act of violence left a mother and her 12-year-old son dead and has profoundly affected our community. These are among the most difficult calls our officers face. I commend our officers for their coordinated response and dedication, which led to the swift identification and apprehension of the suspect. Our detectives worked diligently to develop leads, secure critical evidence, and collaborate with partner agencies to bring the suspect into custody. We will continue working with the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure accountability for violent crimes in our community.”
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik also expressed his condolences, stating:
“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of a 47-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son in this devastating act of violence. My thoughts are with their loved ones during this unimaginable time, and I am grateful that the young child present was not physically harmed. I thank our Akron Fire and Police personnel for their swift response and initial investigative efforts. We must continue to confront violence head-on and ensure justice for victims.”
The Akron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Akron Police Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP.
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.