Oregon School Shooting Kills Four, Including Three Children

A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, killing four people, including three children, before being stopped by an armed member of the community who had pursued him into the school, police said. The gunman also died. Police gave no further details about him beyond his age.

What Police Said

• The dead were three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and one teacher. A 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital with critical injuries, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.

• Emergency responders received a first call at 12:59pm, and officers arrived at 1:02pm. Moments later an officer reported the suspect had been shot, and police entered and confirmed he was dead.

• Krantz said every Bend officer had completed a full day of active-shooter training in August. He said the investigation would be a long one.

Response

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek thanked the community member who “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life”, and said the state would grieve together with the affected families. Gun-control advocate and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords said she was “heartbroken” and called on leaders at every level to act.

Background

Silver Rail serves kindergarten through fifth grade, with about 450 students and 40 staff, in a city of about 100,000 people in central Oregon. The shooting renews the debate over gun laws in the United States, where gun rights are protected by the Constitution.