A gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, killing three children and a teacher before being fatally shot by a local resident, according to authorities.
Police reported that the suspect, a 16-year-old local resident, forced entry into the building around 12:59 p.m. local time by shooting through locked doors. The initial emergency report indicated that an armed individual had fired a long gun into an parked vehicle outside the facility prior to entering the building.
Bystander Intervenes Before Police Arrival
According to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, a community member witnessed the attack, followed the gunman inside, and shot him before law enforcement arrived. Police officers arrived at the scene three minutes after receiving emergency calls and confirmed the teenager was dead before searching the building.
Officials stated that the children killed in the attack were five, eight, and 11 years old. A seven-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to a local hospital in critical condition following the incident.
Community Reaction and School Closures
Authorities have not released the identities of the perpetrator or the victims, and it remains unclear whether the gunman had any prior connection to the school. Steven Cook, the superintendent of the local school district, expressed heartbreak over the event, noting that the community was experiencing profound grief.
Classes across the school district were cancelled on Friday to allow students, staff, and residents time to recover. The elementary school serves approximately 450 students and employs more than 40 staff members.
Source: BBC News
