Police Yet to Officially Identify Shooter in Tragic Silver Rail Elementary Attack

Bend, OR. — Three children and one teacher were killed Thursday afternoon when a 16-year-old Bend resident forced entry into Silver Rail Elementary School and opened fire, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a Thursday evening press conference. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in critical condition. The suspect was shot and killed inside the school by a community member who pursued him after seeing him enter. Families of the victims have been notified.

As of Friday morning, law enforcement had not officially confirmed the shooter’s identity. Krantz described the suspect Thursday only as a 16-year-old Bend resident. Police have not officially released the victims’ names, details on the specific weapon beyond it being a long gun, the number of rounds fired, or whether the suspect had any connection to the school.

According to Chief Krantz, Deschutes County Dispatch received the first 911 call at 12:59 p.m. Thursday from a person in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times by a person with a long gun. In the minutes that followed, dispatch received dozens of additional calls reporting that a shooter had entered the school. The initial investigation shows the suspect forced entry by shooting at locked doors. Officers arrived at approximately 1:02 p.m. Moments later, an officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school, pursued him, and engaged him. Officers entered the building, confirmed the suspect was dead, cleared the school of additional threats, and rendered emergency aid.

“Officers at the scene located five people who had succumbed to their injuries, including the suspect,” Krantz said. “The deceased at the scene include three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and one teacher.” He added that Bend Fire transported the 7-year-old and the 54-year-old teacher to St. Charles Bend with critical injuries. Those conditions were reported at Thursday evening’s briefing.

“This is going to be a long investigation,” Krantz said. “We will have a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School for the next several days as our officers continue to conduct a very thorough investigation so we get all the answers.” He noted that every Bend police officer completed a full day of active threat training at a local high school in August. “Unfortunately, this is something we train for on a regular basis, and we must.”

Students and staff were evacuated Thursday and transported by Bend-La Pine school buses to Journey Church at 61303 S. Highway 97 for reunification with families. All classes in the Bend-La Pine district are canceled Friday.

Governor Tina Kotek, who attended Thursday’s press conference at Bend City Hall along with Mayor Melanie Kebler and Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook, issued a statement praising the response. “I want to start by thanking and praising the quick thinking and courage of the Silver Rail Elementary School staff and parents — and the first responders who rushed to the scene,” Kotek said. “And to the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life, your actions carry a heavy emotional burden – and my thoughts are with you.”

Kotek recalled visiting the school nearly a year ago. “I spent time with educators and community members calling parents to thank them for the great progress their kids were making in attending school. I heard the joy and excitement about their school. My heart is absolutely broken. Our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead. My daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents.” She added, “All Oregonians mourn the loss of life today. This is a horrible day. No parent should have this day. No community should live through this day.” The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is coordinating across state agencies, and the state stands ready to support the community, she said. “There will be time for answering all the questions we have and search for more ways to prevent this kind of violence from happening. But for now, let us hold each other close in our grief, and put as much love into the world as possible.”

Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions flown at half-staff Friday, October 16, from sunrise to sunset, pursuant to the United States Flag Code, in remembrance of those who lost their lives at Silver Rail Elementary. The order is available from the Governor’s Office.

Superintendent Cook said in a statement Thursday, “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. 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 have scheduled a media conference for 2 p.m. Friday at the Bend Municipal Court to provide an update on the investigation and resources available to the community. Officials have asked the public to avoid the area around the school and to follow Bend Police Flash Alerts for further information.

The investigation remains active. Police have not released additional details on the community member’s identity or actions beyond the description given by Chief Krantz.