By Kenneth WIlliams

Three children and a teacher have been killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, after a 16-year-old suspect armed with a shotgun entered the building and was fatally shot by a member of the public who intervened, authorities have said.

The attack at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, 15 October, left a seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher critically injured, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. Both were taken to St Charles Bend hospital for treatment as investigators worked to establish how the violence unfolded inside the school, which serves children aged approximately five to 11.

The suspect was also found dead at the scene, bringing the total number of fatalities to five, including the gunman. Police said the three children who died were aged five, eight and 11.

The shooting prompted an emergency response involving local police, sheriff’s deputies, state police and federal law enforcement agencies. Officers evacuated the school room by room, searched the building for additional threats and provided emergency medical assistance to the victims.

Chief Krantz said the suspect had forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors, according to the initial investigation. A member of the public reportedly saw the suspect entering the building, pursued him inside and confronted him.

Officers arriving at the scene were informed that the community member had shot the suspect. Police subsequently confirmed that the gunman was dead and began securing the premises.

Federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that the suspect was a 16-year-old resident of Bend who was armed with a shotgun. The sources also said the individual who intervened had a concealed-carry permit. However, Chief Krantz said investigators had not yet established all the details surrounding the bystander’s weapon or the circumstances of the confrontation.

One federal source described the intervention as having prevented further deaths. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also praised the community member for stepping in, while recognising the emotional burden such an experience could carry.

The first emergency call was received at approximately 12.59pm local time, when a person in a vehicle reported being shot at multiple times by someone carrying a long gun, Chief Krantz said. Dispatchers subsequently received dozens of calls reporting that an armed individual had entered the school.

An alert was sent to law enforcement at approximately 1pm, and the school was instructed to go into lockdown at 1.01pm. The first responding officers arrived at around 1.02pm, within minutes of the initial emergency call.

Police have not yet established how far the suspect travelled inside the building, whether he knew anyone at the school or whether he had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances leading up to the attack and the suspect’s possible connection to the school.

Students and staff were evacuated and transported on school buses to Journey Church, where arrangements were made for them to reunite with parents, guardians and family members. The process was still under way during an evening briefing, as authorities worked to ensure that everyone was accounted for and safely reunited with their loved ones.

The FBI’s Portland field office confirmed it was assisting local authorities with the investigation, pledging to make the necessary resources available. Police said a substantial presence would remain at the school for several days while investigators gathered evidence and worked to reconstruct the events.

Chief Krantz said officers had completed a full day of active-threat training at a local high school in August, underscoring the preparations law enforcement agencies undertake for such emergencies.

“Unfortunately, this is something we train for on a regular basis, and we must,” he said.

Despite those preparations, the deaths have left the school district and the wider community struggling to comprehend the violence. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook described the shooting as an “unthinkable tragedy”, saying the district was heartbroken by the deaths of children and a member of staff.

Cook became emotional as he thanked school employees for their efforts to protect pupils during the emergency, acknowledging that they had faced circumstances no teacher or school worker should have to endure.

The shooting has also renewed concerns about the safety of children in educational settings. Silver Rail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade and enrolled 459 pupils during the 2024–2025 school year, according to the information provided by the school district.

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said a school should be a place where children can learn without fear, announcing that a community vigil would be held on Thursday evening to honour those who died and support the families affected.

“A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never happen,” Kebler said.

Governor Kotek expressed sympathy for the victims’ families, describing the shooting as a devastating event for parents, children and the wider community. She also offered support to school staff, first responders and others who witnessed the incident or helped during the emergency.

Political representatives from Oregon also voiced their condolences. Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley said no one should have to fear violence at school, while Representative Janelle Bynum described the attack as every parent’s worst fear and questioned how many more communities would have to endure such violence.

In response to the tragedy, all schools across the Bend-La Pine district, together with scheduled activities and athletic events, were cancelled for Friday. Crisis counsellors were also expected to be available at the Central Library to support pupils, families, school employees and other residents affected by the shooting.

Cook urged families to spend time together and allow children to express their emotions as they begin to process what happened. His appeal reflected the immediate challenge facing the community: supporting young people who may have witnessed frightening scenes, helping families cope with sudden loss and providing reassurance to children returning to classrooms after the incident.

Authorities said another news conference was planned for Friday afternoon as the investigation continued. For now, key questions remain unanswered, including the suspect’s motive and whether he had any prior connection to the school.

Silver Rail Elementary and the surrounding community face the painful task of mourning three young children and a teacher whose lives were lost in a place intended to offer safety, learning and care. The investigation may clarify how the shooting began, but for the families affected, the immediate reality is a profound and deeply personal loss.