A teen gunman shot his way into an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, Thursday afternoon, killing three students and a teacher and wounding at least two others before an armed community member pursued him into the school and fatally shot him.
The 16-year-old shooter, armed with what authorities described as a “long gun,” shot the locked doors to gain entry to the Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend and opened fire in the middle of the school day. At least four people — three students ages 5, 8 and 11 and one teacher — were killed in the attack before the gunman was shot and killed by a ‘bystander’ who saw him enter the school with the long gun, police said.
Officers were alerted around 1 p.m. local time after receiving a 911 call from a driver who said a person shot at his vehicle multiple times outside the school. Emergency crews transported victims to a local hospital. Within a minute of the initial call, law enforcement received dozens of 911 reports of an active shooter inside the building. Bend Police arrived at the scene by 1:02 p.m. — just two minutes after dispatch used a tone to alert all law enforcement in the area — and the shooter was down moments later.
Chief Mike Krantz confirmed during a news conference that the gunman forced his way into the building by firing through locked doors. A community member witnessed the gunman enter the facility, pursued him inside, and shot him before officers entered and confirmed the suspect was dead. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to St. Charles Bend with critical injuries.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, though officials confirmed he was a 16-year-old Bend resident. Krantz declined to specify the exact type of long gun used, how many rounds were fired or whether the suspect had any connection to the school, citing the ongoing investigation. Police are expected to hold another news conference Friday afternoon.
The incident prompted an immediate lockdown of the school while police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances swarmed the grounds. Bend-La Pine Schools buses transported students and staff from Silver Rail Elementary to a designated reunification point at Journey Church in Bend, Oregon.
“As you can imagine, the process of getting all of those people safely out of the building and down to Journey Church is a real challenge,” police told reporters during a news conference, asking for patience while officers thoroughly clear each section of the school. A large crowd of parents and community members gathered outside as the search and evacuation continued.
Speaking at the news conference on Thursday evening, Steven Cook, the superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, reflected on the shock felt across the district.
“Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,” Cook said. “No community should have to do what we're doing right now. I don't have any words for what this community is feeling right now.”
Cook announced that all district schools and activities are canceled on Friday, and that crisis counselors will be available for students, staff and community members starting Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Central Library.
Bend Mayor Melanie Keibler called it “an awful day for our community” and said that a community vigil would take place Thursday night.
Federal authorities are also aiding local police with the response. FBI Director Kash Patel stated on social media that the bureau’s Portland field office is on the scene to support the investigation, adding that the agency “will make every resource they need available.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, speaking at the briefing, praised the community member who intervened to stop the shooter, calling it a act that prevented “further loss of life,” and confirmed that the Oregon Department of Emergency Management was coordinating support across state agencies.
“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life: Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,” she said.
The Bend Police Department is serving as the lead agency on the investigation.
