Oregon School Shooter, 16, Killed by Bystander After Deadly Rampage
A man who confronted the gunman shared video of his bullet-riddled truck after the attack that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher.
A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher before being fatally shot by a bystander who followed him into the building. The shooter used a pump-action shotgun that authorities said was purchased by his mother.
The incident began around 12:59 p.m. when the teenager, armed with the shotgun, began firing. He reportedly shot out the locks of "secure vestibules" to gain access to the school's special education area. A civilian who saw the gunman approaching the school confronted him in the parking lot. The gunman fired multiple shots at the civilian's red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, shattering a rear window and leaving six bullet holes in the vehicle. The civilian later shared footage of the damage, stating, "Shattered out that fking window. Went up right through the fking windshield, right above my fking head. Holy st."
After entering the school, the gunman began his rampage, killing students aged 5, 8, and 11, along with a teacher. A bystander, identified by dispatch audio as potentially being a student's father, intervened and shot the suspect dead shortly after the massacre began.
Police have not yet determined if the shooter knew anyone at the school or if he had ever attended the institution. The identities of the victims and the shooter have not been released.
In the wake of the tragedy, community members gathered at Drake Park in Bend for a candlelight vigil to mourn the victims. Local news anchor Lee Anderson became visibly emotional while reporting on the developing details of the shooting, particularly when announcing that children were among the casualties.