A 16-year-old teenager opened fire on students and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher, and was also killed by a community member.
Details of the Incident
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz announced at a press conference that the deceased children were aged 5, 8, and 11. Additionally, a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to St. Charles Bend Hospital due to serious injuries.
Krantz stated that the suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was seen entering the school by a community member. This individual bravely pursued the suspect into the school and targeted him. The suspect shot at locked doors to gain entry into the school.
Reactions from Officials
The police chief did not comment on the suspect's motive and stated that it is still unclear whether the suspect knew anyone at the school or had previously attended there. FBI Director Kesh Patel announced on social media that the Portland FBI field office is assisting with the investigation and added that all necessary resources will be made available to them.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler expressed at the same press conference: "Schools should be safe places where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never have occurred."
Tina Kotek, the Governor of Oregon, also stated at the conference that her heart is deeply broken over this incident and added: "No parent should have to experience such a day, and no community should have to endure such a day." She also thanked the community member who pursued the suspect.
School Shooting Statistics
CNN's analysis of incidents reported by the Gun Violence Archive shows that the shooting at Silver Rail is the 36th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year and the 52nd school shooting in the country.
Krantz reported that at 12:59 PM, police received the first 911 call from an individual in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times. Several calls followed reporting that a suspect had entered Silver Rail Elementary School. This school houses over 400 students from preschool through fifth grade.
Police issued a lockdown order for the school at 1:01 PM, and first responders arrived on the scene one minute later. Upon entering the school building, officers confirmed that the suspect was deceased and also found four others who had died from their injuries, and their families were notified.
Social Impacts and Reactions
Krantz did not provide details about the weapon used in the shooting. However, an anonymous security official with knowledge of the shooting told the Associated Press that the weapon was a pump-action shotgun purchased by the suspect's mother.
Christian Drazan, the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Oregon, stated on social media that his heart is with the affected families, students, and educational staff. He added: "We must commit to protecting our children and must fully end school shootings. This must stop."
Janell Bynum, a Democratic representative who represents the Bend area, stated in a statement: "Our children should be crafting in school, not using their desks as shelters from gunfire. They should be making friends, not mourning their loss."
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) expressed sorrow in a statement that the victims of Silver Rail School and their loved ones faced the "horrific consequences" of yet another shooting in the country. He added that "the best way to honor" them is to "finally pass sensible gun control laws that reduce the risks for children, parents, teachers, and educational staff who are forced to live in fear of similar nightmares in their schools."
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