BEND, Ore. — A peaceful school day in Bend, Oregon, descended into chaos on Thursday when a gunman opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School, leaving multiple people injured, including children.
The incident began just before 1 p.m. PT, when the Bend Police Department received a 911 call reporting a shot fired into a car outside the school premises. Within roughly a minute, dispatchers were flooded with multiple emergency calls originating from inside the building, reporting that an armed individual had breached the school and begun firing.
Police officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the distress calls. According to spokesperson Sheila Miller, officers engaged the suspect almost immediately upon entry, and the shooter was neutralized and killed shortly thereafter. While authorities initially confirmed the suspect’s death, they have not yet definitively stated who fired the fatal shot, noting that a bystander may have been involved in stopping the gunman.
The scope of the tragedy remains under investigation, but authorities confirmed that there are multiple victims, including elementary-aged students. At least two victims were rushed to an area hospital, though their current conditions remain unknown.
“Within about a minute, we were receiving multiple 911 calls from within the school,” Miller said during a press briefing. She noted that while the situation was brought under control swiftly, the scene remains an active investigation involving federal authorities.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency has arrived on-site to assist local law enforcement with the investigation. Additionally, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been dispatched to the scene to help process evidence.
As the community reels from the violence, local officials are working to manage the aftermath. A reunification site has been established at a nearby church, where desperate parents have gathered to locate their children.
Steven Cook, Superintendent of the Bend-La Pine Schools, released a statement expressing the profound devastation felt across the region. “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Cook said. “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.”
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Bend, prompting an outpouring of concern from state and local leaders. While investigators continue to comb through the school for evidence and establish a timeline of events, the focus for the district and families remains on the recovery of the injured and the support of the school community.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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