Family of 5-year-old hires firms to probe Bend shooting

BEND, Ore. — The family of the 5-year-old boy killed in last week’s shooting at a Bend school has hired three law firms to launch an independent investigation outside the criminal case.

The boy’s parents hired the firms to look at systemic issues that may have allowed the shooting to happen, separate from the criminal investigation by police and the FBI.

Those questions include whether the school had an active shooter protocol, proper security, cameras or guards, and what could have been done to prevent the loss of life.

The firms are all personal injury firms. One is located in Oregon with offices in Bend and Portland, one is based in Texas with offices in Houston and Dallas, and one is based in Southern California.

In a statement, Bend attorney and co-counsel Tim Williams said:

“We are stunned that such heinous assaults happened at our peaceful community. Senseless, barbaric and depraved? Yes. But was this foreseeable and preventable? That’s what we will find out. While law enforcement handles the criminal prosecution, we will be investigating any systematic failures that may have allowed this tragedy to happen. We are committed to holding all responsible parties accountable to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. And justice is done in Rhoam’s name.”

The investigation could also look beyond the school, including how the gun was stored at the shooter’s home.

This is the first family of those hurt in the Thursday shooting to publicly announce hiring attorneys. The 5-year-old, Rhoam, was the youngest person to ever be killed in a school shooting in the United States.

No lawsuits have been filed and no tort claims have been sent. The firms are on retainer and starting their own investigation, which is expected to take weeks, if not months, before any findings are known or whether it will lead to a lawsuit.

Separately, Bend police and Deschutes County said they will hold the school until at least Tuesday, with the option to extend. The criminal investigation is still ongoing, and the school remains a locked crime scene. The earliest students could return is Wednesday, but it is unclear how long the school will remain closed.