Bend community mourning after teen shooter kills 4 at elementary school, shot by witness
BEND, Ore. (KATU) — A 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, killing three children and a teacher on Thursday afternoon, authorities in Oregon say.
Bend Police said the three Silver Rail Elementary students were five, eight and eleven years old.
A seven-year-old student and another teacher are in the hospital with critical injuries.
The attacker used a pump-action shotgun that was purchased by his mother, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting told the Associated Press. They have not confirmed if that was the only firearm used in the incident.
MORE COVERAGE | 3 children, 1 adult dead after shooting at Bend elementary school; Teen suspect dead
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Police say the first call came in at 12:59 p.m. Thursday with reports that someone had fired shots from a “long gun” into a car outside the school, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said.
A minute later, dispatch received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting that someone had entered the school and started shooting.
Officers arrived at 1:02 p.m., and they learned that the suspect – identified so far as a 16-year-old from Bend – had been shot and killed inside the school by a community member who followed the suspect inside and intervened.
Chief Krantz said the suspect had forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors.
As of Friday morning, investigators have not said why the school was targeted or whether the gunman had a connection to the school.
COMMUNITY IN MOURNING
The school district asked parents and families to meet at Journey Church to reunite with their students.
"It’s scary how close it was, and how much imminent danger they were, in,” said a father with three kids at Silver Rail Elementary. “I found each kid where they were at, and just gave ‘em a kiss – not knowing today was going to be a day like this and potentially losing them."
He and his children were among many families and neighbors who gathered late Thursday night at Drake Park for a candlelight vigil, remembering those who were killed.
“There’s parents that would wake up every day and see them smile. And that’s not going to be around anymore for those families,” the father continued.
Classes and activities are canceled Friday across the Bend-La Pine School District, and they have not said whether school will resume Monday.
"Our hearts are broken as we mourn this tragedy and the profound impact it has had on so many people, especially the children, families, educators and school staff whose lives have been forever changed," said Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler.
They have crisis counselors at the Central Library and other mental health resources available for students and educators within the district.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at state institutions lowered on Friday.
READ MORE | Oregon political leaders react to deadly shooting at Bend elementary school
“To 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,” she said.
Authorities are expected to give another update on their investigation Friday; KATU News will stream updates on our website and our YouTube page.
This is a developing story; updates will be posted as information comes in.