Police say gunman forced entry by firing at locked doors
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called an armed bystander’s intervention heroic after Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, saying, “Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden,” as the school district announced all Bend schools would close Friday. The 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher before the armed community member shot him dead inside the school, police said. Two other victims — a seven-year-old and a 54-year-old — remained in critical condition Thursday evening.
The student victims were aged five, eight and 11, according to police. Their names have not been released, and authorities said their families have been notified. The teenage gunman, a resident of Bend, was found dead at the scene after an armed community member pursued him into the school, apprehended and shot him, police said. Authorities have not released the gunman’s name.
Police arrived at the school at 1:02 p.m. local time after receiving multiple reports of a shooting. One 911 caller reported an individual armed with a long gun firing upon their car. Police said the gunman forced entry into the building by shooting at locked doors; authorities did not identify the make of the firearm he used.
The shooting has shaken Bend, a city of about 100,000 residents on the Deschutes River, roughly 170 miles south-east of Portland. The school district plans to close all schools Friday because of the tragedy.
Officials praised the swift actions of law enforcement and of the community member who intervened. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called the intervention heroic and extended her thoughts to the bystander. “Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden,” she said Thursday evening.
The FBI is helping local authorities investigate the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Police have yet to provide a motive and said they are still investigating whether the gunman had ties to the school.