Three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Two other victims, including a child and a teacher, were critically injured, according to police.
The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old male, was shot and killed by a community member who confronted him inside the school, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during a news conference Thursday evening.
The three children killed were 5, 8 and 11 years old. The two critically injured victims were a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher. They were transported to St. Charles Medical Center for treatment. Authorities had not released the victims’ names as of Thursday night.
Suspect Forced Entry Into School
Police received the first emergency call shortly before 1 p.m. from a person who reported being shot at several times while inside a vehicle by someone carrying a long gun.
Dispatchers subsequently received dozens of additional 911 calls reporting that the suspect had entered the elementary school.
According to Chief Krantz, the suspect forced his way into the building by shooting at locked doors.
Officers arrived within three minutes of the initial emergency call. They discovered that a community member had already shot and killed the suspect after seeing him enter the school and pursuing him inside.
Police later entered the building and found the four deceased victims.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or confirmed whether the suspect had any connection to the school. Although officials did not publicly confirm the exact weapon used, multiple law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect had a shotgun.
The identity and other details about the community member who intervened have not been released.
Federal Agencies Assist Investigation
The FBI’s local office responded to the scene to assist local law enforcement, FBI Director Kash Patel said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted authorities, alongside Oregon State Police.
Following the shooting, students and staff were evacuated and taken to a nearby church, where they could reunite with their families.
Bend-La Pine Schools announced that all schools in the district would cancel classes and athletic events on Friday.
Oregon Governor Expresses Condolences
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised the community member who intervened, describing the person’s actions as heroic while acknowledging the emotional burden of confronting such a tragedy.
“All Oregonians mourn this loss today,” Kotek said during the news briefing. She added that no parent or community should have to experience such a devastating event.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook also expressed his sorrow, saying the community was facing an unimaginable tragedy.
“No community should have to do what we are doing right now,” Cook said.
School Shootings Remain a Serious Concern
The shooting adds to the ongoing national concern over gun violence in American schools.
According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 235 shooting incidents at K-12 schools across the United States in 2025. At least 149 incidents had been recorded in 2026 as of the report cited in the original coverage, including the shooting in Bend.
Although incidents remain above pre-pandemic levels, the database’s figures indicate a decline from the peak recorded in 2023.
Bend is located in central Oregon, approximately 150 miles southeast of Portland.
The investigation remains ongoing as the community mourns the victims and authorities work to establish what led to the attack.
