A 16-year-old shooter opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday (October 15), killing three children and a teacher. The suspect was also found deceased at the scene.
Victims and injuries
According to Oregon police, the deceased include three children aged five, eight and 11, as well as a teacher. Two other victims, a seven-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher, were rushed to hospital with critical injuries.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed the deaths in a statement. "The deceased at the scene included three children aged 5, 8 and 11 and one teacher," he said.
Incident details
Police responded to 911 calls of a gunman who had entered the school. Upon arrival, it was determined that the gunman was shot and killed. Chief Krantz said an officer reported "the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him."
The shooter has been identified as a sixteen-year-old Bend resident. It is not yet clear whether the attacker attended the school or knew any students.
Community and response
Bend is home to about 100,000 people. Silver Rail Elementary School serves grades kindergarten to fifth, with pupils aged around five to 11. The school has about 450 students and 40 staff members, said Sheila Miller, communications manager for the Bend Police Department.
Classrooms were evacuated and there was a large law enforcement presence at the school. "This is the kind of thing we never want to see happen in Bend. It's devastating," Ms Miller said earlier in the day, pausing to control her emotions.
Governor Tina Kotek released a statement saying she was aware of the shooting. "I am closely monitoring the situation at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend," she said. "I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene. I will share as I learn more."
Senator Jeff Merkley commented on X that he and his team were also monitoring the situation. "My team and I are closely monitoring reports of an active shooter situation at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend," he wrote. "As details continue to come out, my heart is with the Bend community and all of the students and families affected. No one should have to fear violence at school."
