Four killed in Oregon school shooting before armed community member kills teenage attacker

Bend, United States. A teenage gunman killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, police said. An armed community member followed the 16-year-old into the building and killed him, according to police.

Victims and police account

At a press conference, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the children who died were aged 5, 8 and 11. A student aged 7 and a teacher aged 54 were hospitalised in critical condition.

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Police said the attacker gained entry by shooting through doors that were locked. They provided no further details about the suspect apart from his age.

Krantz said the community member witnessed the suspect entering the school and went after him. The chief did not disclose the community member’s identity.

Governor addresses grieving community

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek attended the same briefing and thanked the community member, saying his heroic intervention had prevented further deaths.

Kotek said parents and communities should never have to endure such an experience. As more became known about those killed or injured, their families and loved ones, she said, people would grieve extensively, both together and in private.

Training and investigation

Krantz said all Bend police officers had completed a full day’s training in August on responding to an active shooter. He described regular preparation for such attacks as an unfortunate necessity and said the investigation would be lengthy.

School attacks and gun laws

School shootings have repeatedly occurred in the United States. Prominent attacks include Columbine High School in 1999; Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012; Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018; and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022.

Such attacks repeatedly renew debate about firearms legislation in a country whose Constitution protects gun rights through its second amendment. Supporters of gun rights have advocated giving teachers firearms for defence.