Three children and a teacher have been killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, police said. The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old, was found dead inside the school after a community member pursued and shot him, according to police.
The children were aged five, eight and 11. Another child and a teacher were taken to hospital, Bend police chief Mike Krantz said.
Police said the first emergency call came at about 1pm on Thursday and reported that an unknown man had shot into a car at the school. Several further calls followed, reporting that a person had entered the building and begun shooting.
Officers arrived within seconds and found the suspect dead, Chief Krantz said. Police have not provided further details about the community member who shot him.
Silver Rail Elementary serves pupils from kindergarten through fifth grade, generally aged five to 11. The school has about 450 pupils and 40 staff members.
Steven Cook, superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy.”
He added: “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. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.”
US Representative Maxine Dexter described the shooting as a “devastating day for Oregon”, saying schools should be places of “learning, friendship and joy”.
Oregon governor Tina Kotek said the state would come together to support those affected, while FBI director Kash Patel said federal agents were at the scene assisting local investigators and that the agency would provide any resources required.
