Teen shooter kills 3 children, 1 teacher at Oregon elementary school, police say

BEND, Ore. (KOIN/NEXSTAR) — Three children ages 5, 8 and 11 and a teacher were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, police say.

The shooter, 16, was found dead inside the school when police arrived, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. A community member had pursued the shooter, police say, and shot him.

Another child and a teacher were taken to the hospital, Krantz said.

Officers said they responded just before 1 p.m. after receiving a report of a man shooting into a car. That report was followed almost immediately by multiple 911 calls reporting that a person had entered Silver Rail Elementary and begun shooting.

Police say they don’t know yet if the shooter, a Bend resident, knew anyone at the school or whether he had attended it.

“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.”

Police warned residents to avoid the area and designated Journey Church at 61303 S Highway 97 as a reunification spot for families.

In a statement, Sen. Jeff Merkley said: “My team and I are closely monitoring reports of an active shooter situation at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. As details continue to come out, my heart is with the Bend community and all of the students and families affected. No one should have to fear violence at school.”

“They’re killing our babies. Shredding our kids with lead. Forcing us to live in fear,” added Rep. Janelle Bynum. “I feel this deep, deep, deep in my soul. Our whole community does. Our whole state does. And the whole nation should. Our babies are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire. They’re supposed to make friends, not mourn them. This is every parent’s worst fear. My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it end?”

The FBI is investigating.

The school in Bend, Oregon, which is more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Portland, had 459 enrolled students as of last year, according to the Oregon Department of Education. The school serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Classes, sports and extracurriculars were canceled Friday for all 32 schools in the Bend-La Pine district.