Three children and an adult were killed in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school Thursday, and the suspected gunman is also dead, shot by an armed good Samaritan.
The alleged shooter was a 16-year-old armed with a shotgun who was killed by an armed bystander with a concealed carry permit, federal law enforcement sources told Fox News.
The bystander “definitely prevented more deaths,” one source said.
Federal law enforcement sources confirmed the four victims’ deaths to Fox News, while Bend police said they were investigating whether a bystander killed the shooter inside Silver Rail Elementary School.
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Officers were going room by room to evacuate Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend as authorities worked to determine who shot and killed the suspect.
“We don’t have confirmation yet who shot the suspect. It may have been a bystander,” Sheila Miller, Bend Police Department’s communications manager said during a news briefing.
Bend Fire medics transported at least two people to St. Charles, but their conditions were not immediately known.
The school serves approximately 400 to 450 students and has more than 40 staff members, officials said. It was not immediately clear how many were on campus during the shooting.
The department’s communications manager choked up as she described the impact on the 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 call at approximately 12:59 p.m., reporting a shot fired into a car. An alert went out to officers at 1 p.m., and police arrived at approximately 1:02 p.m., the communications manager said.
Seconds after officers arrived, word came over the radio that the suspect was down. Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter at the school during the response.
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Hundreds of law enforcement personnel from agencies across Central Oregon responded, according to police.
The FBI’s Portland field office said agents were at the scene assisting local authorities with the investigation.
“We will make every resource they need available,” the office wrote on X.
Families were directed to Journey Church at 61303 S. Highway 97 for reunification, while authorities urged the public to avoid the school area.
Silver Rail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in the Bend-La Pine school district and is led by Principal Lybe Hawkins.
The school enrolled 459 students and had roughly 30 teaching staff during the 2024-2025 school year, according to school data. Police previously estimated its current enrollment at 400 to 450 students, with more than 40 total staff members.
No events were listed on the school’s public-facing calendar for Thursday.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said the district was “stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy.”
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence,” Cook said in a statement shared by police. “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.”
Bend police also expressed support for those affected.
“We are thinking of the families and friends of Silver Rail Elementary and everyone in Bend and beyond who are affected by this terrible tragedy,” the department said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she was closely monitoring the situation.
“I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene,” Kotek wrote on X. “I will share as I learn more.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said he and his team were also closely monitoring reports of an active shooter 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.”
Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., whose district includes Bend, called the shooting “every parent’s worst fear.”
“Our babies are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire,” Bynum said in a statement posted on X.
“My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it end?”
Bend-La Pine Schools announced all schools would be closed Friday following the shooting. All activities and athletic events were also canceled.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.