Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting in Bend Leaves Five Dead
Three children and a teacher died Thursday after a 16-year-old opened fire with a long gun at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, police said. A 7-year-old child and another teacher were wounded and taken to St. Charles Medical Center Bend for treatment.
Armed Assailant Enters Bend Elementary School
The violence unfolded shortly after initial emergency calls reported an unknown man shooting into a car at the school grounds, where more than 400 students are enrolled. Subsequent 911 callers reported that an armed individual had entered the building and begun firing. Police officers arrived at the scene at approximately 1:02 p.m., according to Sheila Miller with the Bend Police Department. Seconds later, dispatchers received word over the radio that the suspect was down.
A community member shot the alleged assailant after seeing him enter the school, police said. The 16-year-old suspect is dead, though authorities have not released his identity. Law enforcement officers spent hours clearing the school classroom by classroom following the attack. Officials stated that a heavy law enforcement presence will remain at the facility for the indefinite future.
Four People Died in the Shooting
The three children who died were ages 5, 8, and 11, according to police. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the deceased children or the adult teacher killed in the shooting. Two surviving victims—a 7-year-old child and a teacher—remained hospitalized at St. Charles Medical Center Bend.
Hundreds of parents and community members rushed to Journey Church in Bend, where officials established a reunification center as news of the shooting spread through the city. Erin Johnson, who was visiting her parents next door to the school, told reporters she heard gunshots and the screams of a neighbor whose children attend Silver Rail.
“It’s heartbreaking. I don’t know any details right now about who was injured. But they’re babies,” Johnson said.
Bend-La Pine School District Cancels Classes
All classes in the Bend-La Pine school district were canceled for Friday in the wake of the tragedy. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook released a statement addressing the community. “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Cook said. “Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.”
Deschutes County officials mobilized mental health professionals to support children and residents affected by the shooting, commissioner Phil Chang stated. Local clergy organized a community vigil for 7 p.m. Thursday at Drake Park. Elected officials also responded to the incident as details emerged. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek stated that she was monitoring the situation closely, while state Sen. Christine Drazan expressed horror and offered prayers for those affected.