Shooting at an elementary school in Oregon leaves three children and a teacher dead

A deadly shooting shook Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, USA, killing three children aged 5, 8 and 11, as well as a teacher.

The attacker, a 16-year-old, was shot dead by a civilian who pursued him inside the building before police arrived.

The attack also left people wounded. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were seriously injured and taken to hospital in critical condition.

The shooting took place on Thursday, October 15, at around 1 p.m. local time. According to police, the teenager from Bend used a long-barreled firearm to force open the school’s locked doors, then opened fire inside.

The first emergency call reported shots fired at a vehicle near the school. Shortly afterward, authorities received further reports of an armed person inside the school complex.

A civilian who saw the teenager enter the building pursued him and killed him before officers arrived. Authorities described the person as a member of the local community but have not yet clarified whether he was a parent of a student. His name has not been made public.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said the civilian’s intervention was crucial in preventing an even greater tragedy.

“He intervened to prevent more lives from being lost,” Kotek said, expressing her grief for the victims and their families.

Police have not yet disclosed the 16-year-old’s identity or confirmed whether he had any connection to the school. The motive remains unknown as investigators work to establish the circumstances and how the minor entered the building.

The FBI is also assisting with the investigation, providing agents and resources to support local authorities.

After the incident, the school was closed and students and staff were evacuated. Families were directed to a designated meeting point near the school, where they were reunited with their children.

The Bend-La Pine School District said all schools would be closed on Friday, October 16. School activities and sporting events were also canceled because of the incident.

The tragedy has deeply shaken the local community and renewed discussions about gun violence in American schools. Authorities said the investigation would continue, and that psychological support would be offered to students, families and staff.