Bend Police Give Update After Shooting at Oregon’s Silver Rail Elementary Kills Three Children and a Teacher
BEND, Ore. — Following yesterday’s tragic Oregon school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary that claimed the lives of three young children and a teacher, the Bend Police Department held a media conference yesterday, which was live-streamed on YouTube at 5.30 p.m.
The shooter was a 16-year-old youth. He shot and killed children aged 5, 8, and 11, and a teacher, before he was shot and killed by a member of the community who witnessed the event.
Shooting Has Sent Shock Waves Through the Community
A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured in the shooting, which has sent shock waves through the Bend community.
The shooting took place at lunchtime inside the school premises at 61530 South East Stone Creek Lane.
It was initially reported that an unknown man had shot into a car, but within minutes the Deschutes County Dispatch received several 911 calls reporting a shooting inside the school building.
All law enforcement agencies in the area received an alert tone from Dispatch and, within three minutes of the first report, Bend Police Officers were on the scene.
Seconds later, officers reported that the suspect had been shot and killed by a bystander.
Police officers immediately evacuated each classroom, and the children were transported to Journey Church on South Highway 97 for reunification.
‘We Are Stunned and Heartbroken by This Senseless Tragedy’
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said in a statement that ‘we are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.’
Silver Rail Elementary School has between 400 and 450 students and more than 40 staff.
School Shootings in Oregon
Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, October 1, 2015, a mass shooting left 10 people dead, including the shooter, with multiple injuries.
Rosemary Anderson High School, Portland, December 12, 2014, four students were wounded outside the school.
Reynolds High School, Troutdale, June 10, 2014, a student opened fire in the gym locker room, killing a 14-year-old student, injuring a teacher, before taking his own life.
Springwater Trail High School, Gresham, April 10, 2007, a student fired into classrooms from outside the school, injuring 10 students.
Roseburg High School, Roseburg, February 23, 2006, a student shot and critically wounded another student in the school courtyard.
Thurston High School, Springfield, May 21, 1998, a 15-year-old student killed his parents at home and then opened fire at his school, killing two students and injuring 25 others. He was subdued by classmates.