A 16-year-old suspected gunman used a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother in an attack at an Oregon elementary school that left four people dead, including three children, police said.
Gunfire erupted at Silver Rail Elementary School at approximately 12:59 p.m., after the teenager approached the building carrying the shotgun, according to authorities.
A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the weapon had been bought by the suspect’s mother.
“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Steven Cook, superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, said.
The victims included children aged five, eight and 11, along with a teacher, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and we are working hard to investigate this incident,” Krantz said.
Authorities had not released the victims’ names.
The shooting began after a man in a red Toyota Tacoma pickup noticed the teenager carrying a long gun toward the school, according to The Source.
The driver confronted the teenager, who allegedly responded by firing repeatedly at him and the truck. A rear window was shattered, and the vehicle was left with six large bullet holes.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School began around 12:59 p.m. after police say the 16-year-old armed himself with a pump-action shotgun bought by his mother
The teenager allegedly shot at locked doors to enter the school, triggering dozens of 911 calls before he was later found dead from a gunshot wound
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek commended an unidentified community member who pursued and “engaged” the 16-year-old suspect after the attack began at Silver Rail Elementary School
The suspect then reportedly threw the shotgun over the school fence and climbed over it himself, prompting the pickup driver to contact Deschutes County dispatchers at about 12:59 p.m.
Police reached the school by 1:02 p.m. Shortly afterward, the shooter was found dead after being pursued by a community member described as a hero.
Governor Tina Kotek praised the unidentified person who intervened as the deadly gunfire unfolded at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.
“To the community member who heroically intervened… your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I want you to know my thoughts are with you as well,” Kotek said during a press conference.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the individual pursued and “engaged” the teenager soon after the shooting started.
Officers later located the suspect, who had been shot and killed.
“Officers at the scene located five people who had succumbed to their injuries, including the suspect,” Krantz said. The other four were victims of the attack.
Paramedics established a treatment area outside the school while a seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known.
People gather for a candlelight vigil held in Drake Park to honor and remember those lost and affected by the shooting on Thursday afternoon
A memorial was set up at the base of a stage at the park, as dozens of chalk writings contained prayers, political statements or simply read, ‘we will miss you’
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Community members grieve during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park
A motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities would not confirm on Thursday night whether the suspect knew anybody at the school or if he had attended it when he was younger.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr Steven Cook held back tears as he thanked emergency responders and the schools staff for their efforts to protect students during the attack.
‘Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,’ he began.
‘We are heartbroken. We are horrified. This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here… today it happened to our children, our teachers and our families.’
As Cook uttered words to his community, his voice wavered when he thanked the heroic efforts of the school staff.
‘To our staff who helped our students and protected our kids today, we thank you. You did what no one should ever be asked to do. I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts,’ he said.
‘This is a time to love and care for one another…Please hold your loved ones tight tonight…We are going to rally and care for one another… We will get through this.’
Cook earlier described the attack as a ‘senseless tragedy.’
A motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities would not confirm on Thursday night whether the suspect knew anybody at the school or if he had attended it when he was younger
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr Steven Cook held back tears as he thanked emergency responders and the schools staff for their efforts to protect students during the attack
Paramedics were seen setting up a staging area outside of the school, as a seven-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher were rushed to hospital. Their condition remains unclear
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler was heard asking the community to help support each other in the coming future, describing the tragic shooting as a dark day for the city at the vigil
Hours after the teen opened fire on the school, community members gathered at Drake Park for a prayer vigil.
The scene lit by candlelight saw families and locals holding each other close as they mourned the loss of three children, aged five, eight and eleven, and a teacher who were gunned down on Thursday.
Pastors led the service as the crowd prayed for those affected by the tragedy and the emergency workers who responded to the scene earlier in the day.
A memorial was set up at the base of a stage at the park, as dozens of chalk writings contained prayers, political statements or simply read, ‘we will miss you,’ according to the New York Times.
A theme seen on social media throughout Thursday afternoon following the violence was echoed at the vigil, with one message reading: ‘Gun control now.’
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler was heard asking the community to help support each other in the coming future, describing the tragic shooting as a dark day for the city, NBC News reported.
‘There are simply no words for the loss that we have suffered today,’ she said.
‘I am proud of our community for coming together to support one another, because that is what we are going to need right now.’