A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher, police said. Two more people were badly hurt.
The children who died were aged 5, 8 and 11. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital in critical condition, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.
The shooter forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School by firing at locked doors. A community member saw him enter, followed him inside and shot him. Officers arrived minutes later and found the attacker dead.
How the Attack Unfolded
The first emergency call came just before 1 p.m. from a person in a car outside the school who reported being shot at. More calls followed from inside the building. Officers reached the scene by 1:02 p.m.
The school serves children from kindergarten to fifth grade and has around 450 pupils. All schools in the Bend-La Pine district were closed on Friday as police continued their work.
A Community in Mourning
Police said they did not yet know if the attacker had any link to the school. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, officials said.
The attack has renewed debate in the United States about gun violence and school safety. Families gathered at a reunification centre near the school as officers worked through the evening.
State leaders expressed grief over the tragedy and promised support for the victims’ families. Flags were lowered in the area as the community began to come to terms with the loss.
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