Three children and an adult were killed in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school Thursday, and the suspected gunman is also dead, shot by an armed good Samaritan.
The shooter was a 16-year-old Bend resident armed with a shotgun who was killed by an armed bystander with a concealed carry permit, federal law enforcement sources told Fox News.
The bystander “definitely prevented more deaths,” one source said.
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The children killed at Silver Rail Elementary School were ages 5, 8 and 11, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during an evening news conference.
A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to St. Charles Bend with critical injuries.
The shooter forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors, Krantz said, citing the initial investigation.
A “community member” saw the shooter enter, pursued him into the building and engaged him, according to Krantz.
Officers arrived within three minutes of the first emergency call. Moments later, an officer reported that the community member had shot the suspect.
“Our officers entered the building and confirmed the suspect was dead,” Krantz said. “They cleared the school to ensure there were no additional threats, and then rendered emergency aid to the victims.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised school staff, parents and first responders, along with 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,” Kotek said.
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Krantz said he did not yet have details about the bystander’s firearm or whether he had a concealed carry permit. Federal law enforcement sources separately confirmed the permit to Fox News.
The chief said investigators did not yet know how far the shooter had gone inside the building or whether he knew anyone at the school. Police were also investigating whether the teen had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary.
The first emergency call came at 12:59 p.m. from a person in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times by someone carrying a long gun, Krantz said. Dispatchers then received dozens of calls reporting that a shooter had entered the school.
Dispatch sent an alert summoning all law enforcement at 1 p.m. Responding officers directed the school to lock down at 1:01 p.m., and the first officers arrived at 1:02 p.m.
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Officers found five people dead at the scene, including the shooter. All victims’ families had been notified, Krantz said.
Bend police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond police, Oregon State Police and federal law enforcement partners evacuated the building room by room.
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Students and staff were transported on Bend-La Pine school buses to Journey Church to reunite with families and guardians. That process was still underway at the evening briefing.
The FBI’s Portland field office said it was assisting local authorities with the investigation.
“We will make every resource they need available,” the office wrote on X.
Krantz said every Bend police officer completed a full day of active threat training at a local high school in August.
“Unfortunately, this is something we train for on a regular basis, and we must,” he said.
A large police presence would remain at the school for several days as investigators worked to establish what happened.
“There are not really any words I can say to any of you that will make this better,” Krantz said, urging residents to “lean on each other and be there for each other.”
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said the district was “heartbroken” and “horrified,” and called the incident an “unthinkable tragedy.”
“This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places, and pray that it never happens here. And it has happened here today,” Cook said. “It happened to our children, to our teachers and to our families.”
Cook choked up as he thanked staff for protecting students.
“You did what no one should ever be asked to do,” he said. “I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts.”
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said a community vigil would be held Thursday night.
“A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never happen,” Kebler said.
“This is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day, and no community should have to live through this kind of day,” Kotek said.
Silver Rail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in the Bend-La Pine school district. The school enrolled 459 students during the 2024-2025 school year.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., expressed support for the students and families affected.
“No one should have to fear violence at school,” Merkley wrote on X.
Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., whose district includes Bend, called the shooting “every parent’s worst fear.”
“Our babies are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire,” Bynum said in a statement posted on X.
“My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it end?”
All Bend-La Pine schools, activities and athletic events were canceled Friday. Cook said crisis counselors would be available at the Central Library for students, families, employees and anyone in the community needing support.
“Please hold your children. Hold your loved ones tight tonight,” Cook said. “Let them talk. Let them cry.”
Authorities said they planned to hold another news conference Friday afternoon.
