A 16-year-old boy shot dead three children at a primary school in Bend, Oregon, in the United States. A bystander then killed him, police said.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the attack happened on Thursday afternoon at Silver Rail Elementary School. The gunman has not been named. He shot at the locked doors to get into the building.
How the attack unfolded
Police got the first alert about an active shooter at 12:59 local time. A caller said an unknown gunman was firing into their car with a long gun. Photos from the scene show a red truck with bullet holes.
Minutes later, 911 calls reported that the attacker had entered the school. Local media say the school fitted new classroom doors in 2022. They lock with the flip of a switch.
A bystander saw the shooting begin. He followed the attacker into the school and shot him dead. Officers arrived about three minutes later, confirmed the gunman was dead and searched the building.
Victims and suspect
The children killed were aged five, eight and 11. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital in critical condition, according to the police chief’s account. Police have not released the names of the victims.
Police described the attacker as a local 16-year-old boy and gave no other details. It is unclear whether he had any link to the school.
Community reacts
Steven Cook, the school district’s top administrator, said the community was stunned and heartbroken. “No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing,” he said.
Schools in Bend are closed on Friday to give the community time to heal.
About 450 children attend Silver Rail Elementary. It has more than 40 adult staff members.
The attack adds to a long record of school shootings in the US. The K-12 School Shooting Database counted 235 incidents at American schools last year and at least 140 so far this year.
