On 15 October, three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Primary School in Bend, Oregon. According to Bend Police Chief Mike Kranz, the 16-year-old suspect was shot dead by a member of the community who spotted the attacker and gave chase inside the building.
Briefly about the main points
- Three pupils and a teacher were killed in the attack.
- According to the police, the two injured people were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
- The police reported that the suspect was 16 years old.
- Lessons at all Bend-La Pine schools were cancelled on 16 October.
Details of the dead and injured are known
According to police reports, the four people who died included pupils aged 5, 8 and 11, and one teacher. The authorities had not released their names at the time of reporting.
The chief of police reported that a 7-year-old pupil and a 54-year-old teacher had been taken to hospital. According to information provided by the police, both were in a critical condition.
How events unfolded
The Benda police said that the first call came in at 12:59 from a person in a car who reported shots fired from a long gun. Shortly afterwards, the emergency services received further calls stating that the gunman had entered the school.
Officers arrived at 13:02. According to the police, the suspect had gained entry by firing through a locked door, and the police later confirmed that he had died inside the building.
Kranz reported that an armed member of the community spotted the attacker at the entrance, followed him into the school and shot him dead. The identity of this person has not been disclosed, and the full circumstances of the incident are being established by the investigation.
The response from the authorities and the school district
Governor of Oregon Tina Kotek She thanked the community member for stepping in, stating that this may have prevented further casualties. This is the official’s assessment, whilst the investigation into the attack is ongoing.
The Bend-La Pine School District has cancelled lessons at all its schools on Friday 16 October. Around 450 children attend Silver Rail Primary School.
In accordance with Governor Kotek’s order, on 16 October, state flags in Oregon will be flown at half-mast from dawn until sunset to honour the victims and survivors.
