School shooting in Bend, Oregon: gunman dead, children among victims
A gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, killing at least one and hospitalising others. Children are confirmed among the victims.
Gunman shot dead after opening fire at Oregon primary school
A shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon left multiple people dead — including the shooter — after a gunman opened fire on the campus on Tuesday afternoon, nbcwashington.com reports, citing four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the preliminary investigation.
At least two people were transported to a local hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known. Bend Police Department Communications Manager Sheila Miller confirmed that children are among the victims. "We don't have a number at this point. We know children are among the victims," Miller said.
Authorities received the first emergency call at 12:59 p.m., reporting a shot fired into a car outside the school. Officers arrived within minutes. Further 911 calls then came from inside the building. The attacker was shot and went down inside the school shortly after police arrived. It was not immediately clear whether the shooting was carried out by police, a bystander, or was self-inflicted.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on X that agents from the bureau's Portland office were on the scene assisting local authorities. "We will make every resource they need available," Patel wrote. Federal officials indicated that the Oregon State Police may assume the lead role in the investigation.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said she was "closely monitoring the situation at Silver Rail Elementary." "I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene. I will share as I learn more," she said.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook described the district as "stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy." "We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence," Cook said. "No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing." He added that the district's immediate priorities were caring for students and staff and supporting law enforcement.
The school was placed under lockdown, with police conducting a room-by-room evacuation of the building. "This is the kind of thing we never want to see happen in Bend. It's devastating," Miller said, pausing to compose herself during a briefing.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden posted a statement on X expressing solidarity with the victims. "My heart is with the victims of today's shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School and their loved ones now facing the consequences of another school shooting in America," Wyden wrote. He added: "Once again we must ask how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence."
Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) also posted on X: "My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary."
Silver Rail Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school, located more than 100 miles southeast of Portland, had 459 enrolled students as of last year, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
The investigation is ongoing.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)