Teen Gunman Kills 4 at Oregon Elementary School Before Being Killed by Bystander

A 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday before being killed by a civilian. The shooter used a shotgun to blast through locked doors of a secure vestibule, a security feature designed to prevent such attacks.

The incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time. The identities of the deceased, including the three children aged five, eight, and 11, and the teacher, have not been released. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Fifth-grade teacher Kathy Sheil Smith recounted seeing the unidentified gunman approaching the school with a long gun. She alerted the school's main office and moved her students to a corner of the classroom, describing their fear and attempts to comfort each other quietly. Smith and her students were not among those killed or injured.

A civilian, described by dispatch audio as possibly the father of a student, confronted the teenager outside the school. The gunman reportedly fired at the man's red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, which sustained multiple bullet holes. The civilian then followed the shooter into the school, where he subdued the assailant.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene at approximately 1:02 p.m. and confirmed the suspect was dead. Initial reports from dispatch audio indicated the shooter was neutralized by a father at the school. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect knew anyone at the school or had attended it previously. The shotgun used in the attack was reportedly purchased by the shooter's mother.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook expressed his grief and thanked emergency responders and school staff for their efforts. Classes, activities, and athletic events scheduled for Friday were canceled. A vigil was held in downtown Bend for the victims.

Bend, a city of 120,000 people known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, is located in Central Oregon. The school district has canceled all school-related activities for Friday.