Hero bystander shot and killed Oregon elementary school teen gunman after deadly rampage: police

The teen gunman who killed three children and a teacher at an Oregon elementary school on Thursday was shot dead by a hero bystander who chased him inside, police said.

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The bystander sprang into action just minutes after police received their first report of a shooter with a long gun at Silver Rail Elementary School in the city of Bend, according to sources and police.

The first call placed to dispatchers indicated that a shot had been fired into a car near the school, police spokesperson Sheila Miller told reporters.

After the initial shots, the gunman — identified as a 16-year-old resident of Bend — shot the locked doors of the school to bust inside and launch his rampage, Bend Police Department Chief Mike Krantz said in a press conference Thursday evening. 

Moments later, the brave community member pursued the teen into the school building and shot him, Krantz told reporters. 

The gunman was pronounced dead inside the school, police added. 

Three kids — ages 5, 8 and 11 — and a teacher were gunned down by the teen, police said.

A 7-year-old child and a teacher, 54, were also hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.

Roughly 400 to 450 children attend the school, which was evacuated after the terrifying shooting.

Krantz was unable to answer whether the hero bystander had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and said many factors of the shooting were still under investigation. 

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Bend La Pines school district previously banned all people, including those with concealed handling licences, from carrying firearms on district property, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported in 2022.

A separate provision of state law does allow lawfully possessed guns on school grounds if they are unloaded and locked in a vehicle, the outlet reported.

“This is something we never want to happen anywhere, but especially in our beautiful community here in Bend. There are not really any words I can say to any of you that will make this better,” Krantz said. 

“But please know that we are working hard to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation.”

All of Bend-La Pine district schools and activities will be canceled on Friday, and crisis counseling will be available for those affected by the tragedy, Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steve Cook said at the press conference.

“I don’t have any words for what this community is feeling right now. I don’t think anybody does. We are heartbroken, we are horrified,” Cook said. 

“Please hold your children, hold your loved ones tight tonight. Let them talk, let them cry. Let them know we are going to rally and care for one another in this community.”

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