A suspected shooter was killed inside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday after gunfire resulted in multiple victims, including children, according to police. Officers conducted a room-by-room evacuation of the school while authorities worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Bend Police Department’s communications manager, Sheila Miller, stated that a bystander may have intervened, but confirmation of who shot the suspect has not yet been established. Police confirmed that there was one shooter and that the suspect is deceased.
Bend Fire medics transported at least two individuals to St. Charles Medical Center, although their conditions were not immediately disclosed. It remains unclear how many children were among the victims or whether those transported were children. The school serves approximately 400 to 450 students and has over 40 staff members, but it was not immediately known how many were present during the incident.
Miller expressed the impact of the event on the community, stating, "This is the kind of thing we never want to see happen in Bend. It's devastating."
The first call to dispatchers was received at approximately 12:59 p.m., reporting a shot fired into a vehicle. An alert was sent to officers at 1 p.m., and police arrived on the scene at approximately 1:02 p.m. Shortly after their arrival, it was reported that the suspect was down. During the response, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls regarding an active shooter at the school.
Hundreds of law enforcement personnel from various agencies across Central Oregon responded to the incident. The FBI’s Portland field office stated that agents were present at the scene to assist local authorities with the investigation.
Families were directed to Journey Church at 61303 S. Highway 97 for reunification, while authorities advised the public to avoid the area surrounding the school. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., stated that he and his team were closely monitoring the situation, expressing his concern for the Bend community and the affected students and families. Representative Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., whose district includes Bend, described the shooting as "every parent’s worst fear," emphasizing that children should not have to fear violence at school.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.