3 children and 1 adult killed in Oregon elementary school shooting Police say the suspected gunman has been killed

Bend Police responded to Silver Rail Elementary School for a report of an active shooter that left three children and one adult dead. The suspected gunman was shot and killed, police said.

The shooter was killed in the attack on the Oregon elementary school

Three children and an adult were killed in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school Thursday, and a suspected gunman was also killed, possibly shot by a bystander.

Officers went room by room to evacuate the locked-down Silver Rail Elementary School as authorities tried to determine who shot and killed the suspect.

Sheila Miller, director of communications for the Bend Police Department, said at a news conference: "We still have no confirmation as to who shot the suspect. It could have been a bystander."

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area near Silver Rail Elementary School as Bend police respond to a reported active shooter Thursday. (KTVZ)

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 employees, officials said. It is not yet clear how many were on campus during the shooting.

The department's communications director choked up as she described the impact on the community.

"This is something we never want to happen in Bend. It's devastating," Miller said.

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Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., where police responded to a report of an active shooter Thursday. (Google Maps)

Dispatchers received the first call at approximately 12:59 p.m., reporting shots fired at a vehicle. Officers were alerted at 1:00 p.m. and police arrived at approximately 1:02 p.m., the communications director said.

A few seconds after the officers arrived, the news came over the radio that the suspect was disabled. Dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting an active shooter at the school during the response.

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Law enforcement on the scene near Silver Rail Elementary School following a report of an active shooter Thursday. (KTVZ)

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel from agencies throughout Central Oregon responded, police said.

The FBI's Portland field office said agents are on the scene assisting local authorities with the investigation.

"We will make available whatever resources they need," the office wrote in X.

Families were directed to Journey Church at 61303 S. Highway 97 for the reunion, while officials asked the public to avoid the school zone.

Silver Rail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in the Bend-La Pine School District and is led by Principal Libe Hawkins.

During the 2024-2025 school year, the school enrolled 459 students and had approximately 30 teaching staff, according to school data. Police previously estimated their current enrollment at between 400 and 450 students with more than 40 staff.

There are no events listed on the public school calendar for Thursday.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said the district is "stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy."

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and all those affected by this violence," Cook said in a statement shared by police. "No words can express the grief our community is experiencing. Our immediate priorities are to care for our students and staff and to assist law enforcement and emergency responders."

Bend police also offered support to those affected.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Silver Rail Elementary and all those affected by this terrible tragedy in Bend and beyond," the department said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she was monitoring the situation closely.

"I'm thankful for the first responders on the scene," Kotek wrote on X.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said he and his team have also been closely monitoring reports of active school shootings.

"While the details continue to emerge, my heart goes out to the Bend community and all the students and families affected," Merkley wrote on X. "No one should fear school violence."

Rep. Jenelle Bynum, D-Ore., whose district includes Bend, called the shooting "every parent's worst fear."

"Our kids are supposed to be doing arts and crafts at school, not using their desks as cover from gunfire," Bynum said in a statement published on X.

"My heart and prayers and everything else I got with those bones at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it be over?"

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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