Three Children, Teacher Killed in Oregon Elementary School Shooting
A 16-year-old suspect died after being shot by a community member who intervened during the attack at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend.
A shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday resulted in the deaths of three children and a teacher, with the 16-year-old suspect also killed by a community member who intervened. Police identified the deceased children as aged 5, 8, and 11. A 7-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher sustained critical injuries and were transported to St. Charles Bend hospital.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz stated that the suspect, a male resident whose identity has not yet been released, forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors. He was spotted entering the building by a community member who pursued him and ultimately shot him, Krantz said.
Police have not speculated on the motive behind the attack and have not confirmed if the suspect had any connection to the school. The FBI's Portland field office is assisting in the investigation, with FBI Director Kash Patel pledging full agency resources. A candlelight vigil was held Thursday evening for the victims.
"A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure," Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said. "What happened today should never happen." Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek expressed heartbreak over the incident and thanked the community member who confronted the shooter.
This shooting marks the 36th on K-12 school grounds in the U.S. this year and the 52nd school shooting nationwide, according to an analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
The incident began around 12:59 p.m. when police received a 911 call reporting multiple shots fired by someone with a long gun. Subsequent calls indicated a shooter had entered Silver Rail Elementary School, which serves over 400 students from kindergarten through 5th grade. Police directed the school to go into lockdown at 1:01 p.m., and first responders arrived one minute later. Upon entering, officers confirmed the suspect was deceased and discovered the four other victims. An unidentified law enforcement official briefed on the shooting told the Associated Press that the suspect used a pump-action shotgun reportedly purchased by his mother.
Politicians from Oregon offered their condolences and called for action. State Senator Christine Drazan, Republican candidate for governor, tweeted, "We have to commit to protecting our kids. We have to put a complete stop to shootings at our schools. This has to end." U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) stated that the "awful consequences" of such shootings could be reduced by passing "common-sense gun laws."