BEND, Ore. — A 16-year-old shot his way into Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday afternoon and killed three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher before a community member pursued him inside and shot him dead, police said, BBC News and DW reported.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the gunman forced entry by shooting at locked doors. The first 911 call, at about 1 p.m., came from a person reporting that someone with a long gun was shooting into their car outside the school. Officers arrived about three minutes after the bystander confronted the attacker.
A 7-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to a hospital in critical condition, the BBC said. Police have not named the suspect, a local teenager, or the victims, and it was unclear whether he had any link to the school, which has about 450 students and more than 40 staff.
Gov. Tina Kotek praised the community member who “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.” Emergency dispatch audio suggested the bystander was a pupil’s father, though police have not confirmed that, BBC News reported.
Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil in Drake Park on Thursday night, and Bend schools were closed Friday.
Sources: BBC News, DW, CBC News
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