A 16-year-old gunman is dead after opening fire at an Oregon elementary school on October 15.
Police rushed to Silver Rail Elementary School around 1 p.m. after receiving reports of an “active shooter.”
Law enforcement arrived within two minutes, officials said. Initial investigation shows the gunman forced entry into the school by shooting through locked doors. The shooter was dead shortly after police got to the Bend, Oregon, school. Officers confirmed a community member who saw the suspect enter pursued the suspect inside and shot and killed him.
Four other people were killed in the shooting, including three children — ages 5, 8 and 11 — and one teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher suffered critical injuries and were transported by Bend Fire to St. Charles Bend.
As police continue to investigate the shooting, here is everything we know about the suspected gunman:
Who was the suspected gunman?
Police have not released any official details about the shooter's identity, including the person’s name. The shooter was killed at the scene soon after the gunfire began. Police identified the suspect as a 16-year-old Bend resident.
What was the motive?
Authorities have not detailed a motive and say the shooting remains under investigation. Police have not yet confirmed whether the gunman knew anyone at the school.
How many victims were there?
Four people were killed in addition to the gunman. The deceased victims include three children — ages 5, 8 and 11 — and one teacher. Two additional victims remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Where did the shooting happen?
The shooting happened at Silver Rail Elementary School, which is along SE Stone Creek Lane in Bend, Oregon. The school serves about 450 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Bend is in central Oregon and about a three-hour drive from Portland. The city has a population of nearly 100,000 people. It is the county seat for Deschutes County.
Authorities established a family reunification area nearby at Journey Church on South Highway 97 as officers conducted evacuations of the school.
How have elected officials responded to the shooting?
Several officials have spoken out after the shooting.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stated she was closely monitoring the situation as state agencies assisted local police.
“As we learn more about the tragic event at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend today, we must come together and support each other, neighbor to neighbor, Oregonian to Oregonian,” Kotek posted on X. “No community should have to live through this day.”
Steven Cook, the superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, offered his condolences to the community as well.
“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Cook said. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.”
FBI Director Kash Patel stated: “FBI Portland is on the scene and assisting our local partners in the investigation regarding an earlier shooting at a local school. We will make every resource they need available.”
