Rhoam Summer loved dancing, dinosaurs and making art, the parents of the 5-year-old kindergarten student killed at Silver Rail Elementary School said in a statement released through their lawyers.

Rhoam was one of three children and a teacher who died when a 16-year-old with a shotgun forced his way into a classroom on Oct. 15. The shooter was then killed by a parent who saw him enter and followed with a gun.

Now, Kelik and Lillian Summer are asking those grieving their son’s death to turn to art.

“If you want to memorialize our little Rhoam, we request you draw,” the Summers said in their statement, which was posted to Facebook Monday. “Rhoam loved to tell stories of creatures with big teeth who needed understanding and friendship. Please make art for him. Draw or paint. Use your hands if you can. Get messy.”

The youth-art-focused Bend nonprofit Hearts Unknown Education, or HÚE, says it’s hosting a painting and drawing session dedicated to Rhoam’s memory on Tuesday.

The Summers released their statement as Bend grapples with the deaths of Rhoam, two classmates, ages 8 and 11 — whose names have not been officially released — and their teacher, 25-year-old Megan Lambert.

The Summers said they understand that many in the community want to know about their son.

“His heart knew no limits, and it grew with him every single day. We were so proud of who he was and who he was growing to be,” they wrote. “He was 5 years old. He wanted to go to the pumpkin patch, learn to ride horses, learn to play an instrument, and be a bunny for Halloween.”

From his earliest days, he brought light into the world, they said.

“Rhoam was so so strong. The day he was born, his father gave him his first sink bath at the hospital. In the sink, Rhoam grabbed his dad’s hands and pulled himself up with his own strength,” the Summers wrote. “He climbed a ladder (3-step stool) when he was just 6 months old. He never stopped moving. He never stopped climbing. He could do anything.”

As he got older, Rhoam was a generous child, they said, making sure visitors to their home had a drink, or a snack, or a toy to cuddle. “He wanted to share everything he had.”

Rhoam was a child with many interests.

“He loved rainbows and unicorns from a very young age,” his parents said. “He loved sharks and dinosaurs. He cooked meals with his parents, cuddled at every opportunity, and sang to himself when he was upset. He told the sweetest, most amazing stories and was learning to give each character their own voice.”

Now the Summers are telling the story of their son.

“We could not have hoped for a more wonderful child, and everyone in his family, found family, and friend circle could not wait to see how he grew,” his parents said.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/19/parents-of-rhoam-summer-share-memories-of-5-year-old-killed-in-bend-shooting/