Bend Shooting Victim’s Parents Launch Investigation Into School Security

BEND, Ore. (AP) — The parents of a teenager killed during a 2022 shooting at a Safeway grocery store in Bend, Oregon, have retained legal counsel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The move seeks to uncover critical details regarding how the shooter obtained his firearm and to evaluate the safety protocols in place at the time.

Donald Surrett Jr., a 66-year-old employee, and Glenn Edward Bennett, a 20-year-old shopper, were killed in the August 2022 attack. The shooter, identified by police as 20-year-old Ethan Miller, also took his own life at the scene. The incident left the Bend community shaken and prompted national conversations regarding access to firearms and public safety measures.

Now, the families of those affected are seeking accountability. Attorneys representing the family of Glenn Bennett have signaled their intent to scrutinize the shooter’s history, specifically focusing on how he was able to legally purchase the weapon used in the attack. The investigation aims to determine if there were red flags that could have—or should have—prevented the purchase from being finalized under existing laws.

Furthermore, the legal inquiry is expected to broaden its scope to include institutional safety plans. While the shooting occurred at a commercial grocery store rather than a school, attorneys are examining broader security protocols relevant to public spaces where young people congregate. The parents are particularly interested in whether private and public institutions have adequate emergency response plans to mitigate the threat of an active shooter.

“Our goal is to understand the full picture,” said a legal representative for the family. “We want to ensure that if there were gaps in the system—whether in the gun purchasing process or in how public spaces prepare for such horrors—those gaps are brought to light so that future tragedies might be prevented.”

In the months following the shooting, Oregon officials faced intense pressure to address gun violence legislation. The state has since navigated various legal challenges regarding Measure 114, a voter-approved initiative intended to tighten restrictions on firearm sales, including requirements for permits and bans on high-capacity magazines. The investigation into the Bend shooting is expected to add fuel to the ongoing debate over how effectively these measures can prevent individuals from acquiring weapons.

For the Bend community, the legal action represents a difficult but necessary step in the grieving process. The shooting forced the small city, known for its outdoor tourism and quiet lifestyle, to confront the reality of mass violence. Memorials for the victims were held throughout the city, and the Safeway store remained closed for months as the community processed the trauma.

Legal experts note that such lawsuits often serve as a tool for discovery, allowing families to obtain documents, internal communications, and law enforcement reports that are not otherwise accessible to the public. By digging into the shooter’s background and the security landscape of the region, the families hope to establish a clearer timeline of the failures that preceded the violence.

As the investigation moves forward, the families have asked for privacy. There is no immediate indication of a specific lawsuit against any entity, but the hiring of counsel is a strong indicator that civil litigation is being prepared. For now, the public remains focused on the outcome of this inquiry, as it could have significant implications for how businesses and government agencies in Oregon handle public safety moving forward.