FBI joins Bend investigation; governor calls bystander ‘heroic’
The Associated Press, citing a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported Friday that the shooter used a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother. Officials said Thursday that the gunman, a 16-year-old resident of Bend, forced his way into the school at around 1 p.m. by shooting at locked doors.
Police received an emergency call at 12:59 p.m. Thursday from a person “in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times by a person with a long gun,” Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a Thursday news conference. Within minutes, authorities received “dozens of 911 calls” reporting that a “shooter had entered the building at Silver Rail elementary school,” Krantz said.
The school went into lockdown at 1:01 p.m. and the first officers arrived at 1:02 p.m., Krantz said. “Moments later, an officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him,” Krantz said. He added: “our officers entered the building and confirmed the suspect was dead.” Officers cleared the school to ensure there were no additional threats and rendered emergency aid to the victims. Officers at the scene subsequently located “five people who had succumbed to their injuries, including the suspect,” Krantz said.
Authorities identified the three children killed as ages 5, 8, and 11. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized with critical injuries. As of Friday morning, authorities had not named the victims, the shooter, or the bystander who shot and killed him. Bend Police said the families of the victims had all been notified.
“This is going to be a long investigation,” Krantz said, adding that the police would maintain a large presence at the school for the next few days. “There are not really any words I can say to any of you that will make this better,” Krantz said. “But please know that we are working hard to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday that the FBI’s local office is on the scene and assisting local law enforcement with the investigation. All schools in Bend and the neighboring city of La Pine are closed Friday.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said at the news conference: “Like so many in our community, I’m struggling to make sense of a loss that feels unimaginable.” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, who also attended, said: “My heart is absolutely broken today, and our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead, and my daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents, and with the educators.” Kotek added: “All Oregonians mourn this loss today. This is a horrible day.” Kotek also praised the person who “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.” “Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,” Kotek said.
Bend, home to about 100,000 residents, held a candlelit vigil on Thursday night. Hundreds gathered in Drake Park as the sun set; both Kotek and Kebler attended. “There is power and love in this park tonight,” Kotek said. “On behalf of everyone who lives in Oregon, I am so sorry for what you are experiencing today. No parent, no family, no community should have to have this kind of day.”
Steven Cook, superintendent of Bend-La Pine schools, said in a statement: “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing.”
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressed her condolences in a social media post Thursday, saying she was “heartbroken by the horrific shooting” and that her “prayers are with the students, faculty, their families, and the entire community.”