3 children, 1 teacher killed in mass shooting at Oregon elementary school

Four people, including three children, were killed after a gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., on Thursday, according to multiple outlets. The shooter was also killed, authorities said.

Police first received reports of an active shooter at 12:59 p.m. local time, when an unknown man had fired a gun into a car before entering the school, where he continued shooting, according to the Bend Police Department.

Officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the initial report. Moments later, the shooter was reported dead after being shot by a community member who followed the suspect into the school, police said. 

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Bend Police Department Chief Mike Krantz said during a press conference Thursday evening that the children were 5, 8 and 11 years old. One adult, a teacher, was also killed. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also sent to a hospital with critical injuries.

Krantz said the suspect had been identified as a 16-year-old Bend resident who forced his way into the school by shooting at the locked doors. He did not say what kind of gun the suspect used. He also did not release the names of the victims or the shooter.

"Our hearts are broken," said Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler during the press conference. "A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never happen."

"We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy," Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook wrote in a statement. "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."

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FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was on the scene assisting in the investigation.

Bend-La Pine Schools said it had set up a family reunification site at a nearby church, and that all of its schools would be closed on Friday and any activities and athletic events would be canceled.

"All Oregonians mourn this loss today," said Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. "This is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day and no community should have to live through this kind of day. We are going to do a lot of crying. We are going to cry together and we're probably going to cry privately."

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