Suspected Shooter Killed at Oregon Elementary School; Children Victims

A suspected gunman was killed inside an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday after a shooting injured or otherwise affected multiple victims, including children, police said.

Officers moved through Silver Rail Elementary School room by room, evacuating people as investigators worked to determine who shot and killed the suspect.

Authorities said a bystander may have intervened during the shooting.

“We don’t have confirmation yet who shot the suspect. It may have been a bystander,” Sheila Miller, communications manager for the Bend Police Department, said at a news briefing.

Police confirmed that there was one shooter and that the suspect was dead.

Bend fire medics took at least two people to St. Charles, though their conditions were not immediately available. Officials had not said how many children were among the victims or whether those transported to the hospital were children.

Silver Rail Elementary serves roughly 400 to 450 students and employs more than 40 staff members, officials said. It was not immediately known how many people were on campus when the shooting occurred.

Miller became emotional while describing the shooting’s effect on the Bend community.

“This is the kind of thing we never want to see happen in Bend. It’s devastating,” Miller said.

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Dispatchers received the first report at about 12:59 p.m. The caller said a shot had been fired into a vehicle. Officers were alerted at 1 p.m. and arrived at approximately 1:02 p.m., according to the police communications manager.

Within seconds of officers reaching the scene, a radio transmission reported that the suspect was down. During the police response, dispatchers received several 911 calls describing an active shooter at the school.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from agencies throughout Central Oregon converged on the school, police said.

Families were instructed to reunite at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97. Authorities also urged the public to stay away from the school and surrounding area.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said he and his staff were closely tracking reports of the active shooter situation at the school.

“As details continue to come out, my heart is with the Bend community and all of the students and families affected,” Merkley wrote on X. “No one should have to fear violence at school.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.