On Thursday in Bend, Oregon, a 16-year-old shooter tragically opened fire at an elementary school, resulting in the deaths of three children and a teacher. Additionally, two individuals were wounded before the shooter was ultimately stopped by a community member who pursued him into the school, according to authorities.
The victims included children aged five, eight, and 11, with another child and a teacher sustaining injuries and being transported to the hospital, as confirmed by Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. The incident was first reported around 1 p.m. local time when a person in a vehicle outside Silver Rail Elementary notified 911 about being targeted by an individual armed with a long gun.
Subsequent calls to 911 originated from inside the school premises, leading to a swift response by law enforcement officers who arrived promptly on the scene. The assailant was swiftly neutralized inside the school following the police’s arrival, as per Bend police spokesperson Sheila Miller.
Silver Rail Elementary, located over 160 kilometers southeast of Portland, accommodated 459 students last year, catering to students from kindergarten to fifth grade, according to the Oregon Department of Education. The school community now grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, which has left a lasting impact on the community.
