BEND, Ore. — Multiple people, including children, were killed Thursday in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. The suspected shooter is also dead, police said.
The first 911 call came in at 12:59 p.m. and reported that a man had fired a shot into a car outside the school. About a minute later, additional calls reported that someone had entered the school and was shooting. Bend Police said officers arrived at the scene at 1:02 p.m. and soon reported that the suspect had been shot and killed.
Police spokesperson Sheila Miller confirmed that there were multiple victims, including children, and that at least two people were taken to St. Charles Bend hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known. Miller said police had not confirmed who shot the suspect, though a bystander may have been involved.
The number of people killed remained unclear in early reports. CBS News, citing law-enforcement sources, reported that three children and one adult were killed and that the suspect was 16. The Associated Press cited two officials who said at least five people were believed dead, but it was not clear whether that figure included the suspect. Police had not publicly confirmed a final death toll or released victims’ names.
Students were evacuated from the school, with families directed to a reunification site at Journey Church in Bend. The FBI was assisting local authorities with the investigation. Bend-La Pine Schools said all district schools, classes and athletic events would be canceled Friday.
Superintendent Steven Cook said the district was heartbroken by the shooting and that its immediate priorities were caring for students and staff and assisting first responders. Police scheduled an additional media briefing for Thursday evening.
This is a developing story. The casualty figures above are preliminary media reports; police had not confirmed a final count at the time of publication.
