Reuters reported on October 15 that American police said a 16-year-old shooter opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, resulting in the death of four people, including three children. The shooter was later killed by a citizen who pursued him into the campus with a gun.
The police said that the shooter entered the school after shooting at a locked door; they did not provide any additional details beyond the shooter’s age.
In a press conference, Mike Krantz, the chief of police in Bend City, said that the victims included three children aged 5, 8, and 11 years old, as well as a teacher. Additionally, a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were sent to the hospital due to severe injuries.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also appeared at the same press conference, thanking the community member who "heroically intervened and prevented further losses of lives."
Coteck said, “No parent should experience such a day, and no community should bear such a burden. As we learn more about these children and adults who have been killed or injured, as well as their families and loved ones, we will cry many times.”
Kranz did not reveal the identity of this citizen, but said that he immediately began to chase after the suspect entered the school.
The shooting occurred in Bend City. This city with a population of about 100,000 is located in the rural area of central Oregon, approximately 175 miles (280 kilometers) southeast of Portland. It lies within the Oregon Plateau Desert, adjacent to the DeShoot National Forest.
According to the information disclosed, this incident occurred at Yinlui Primary School. The school covers grades from kindergarten to fifth grade, with students aged approximately 5 to 11 years old. There are about 450 students and 40 staff members in the school.
The police said that around 1 p.m., they received a call reporting that an unidentified man had shot at a car at Silverrail Primary School. Shortly thereafter, emergency dispatchers received several more calls reporting that someone had entered the school and started shooting. Police officers arrived within three minutes, but found the suspect already dead.
