A devastating shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, left three young children and a teacher dead Thursday afternoon after a 16-year-old gunman forced his way inside by shooting through the school’s locked front doors.
The attack began just before 1 p.m. local time when Deschutes County dispatch received a call from a driver reporting that someone armed with a long gun was firing at his vehicle near the school. Within minutes, dozens of additional 911 calls flooded the dispatch center as the shooter entered the K-5 campus, which serves more than 400 students and 40 staff members.
Officers arrived within three minutes of the first emergency call and quickly learned that a community member had already intervened. That unnamed individual witnessed the gunman entering the school, pursued him inside and fatally shot him before police made entry.
The victims killed included children aged 5, 8 and 11, along with an adult teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend in critical condition. Authorities notified the families of those killed but have not publicly released their identities.
The teenage suspect was identified only as a 16-year-old Bend resident. Police have not confirmed how many shots were fired or whether the gunman had any prior connection to the school. Investigators have not yet disclosed how the teen obtained the long gun used in the attack.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted an urgent trace on the weapon Thursday evening. Under Oregon law a person must be at least 18 to purchase a rifle or shotgun and 21 to buy a handgun though minors may legally possess certain firearms with parental consent for purposes such as hunting or target practice.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised the school staff first responders and the civilian who stepped in to stop further bloodshed. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management was activated to coordinate support across state agencies and both the ATF and FBI joined the investigation.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz described what lies ahead as a lengthy and complex investigation with a significant law enforcement presence expected at the school for several days. All schools in the Bend-La Pine Schools district have canceled classes and activities for Friday.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler called it an awful day for the community and said schools must remain places where children feel safe and protected.