Armed Attack on Elementary School in the USA: 4 People Killed

Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, United States, became the target of an armed attack on Thursday, October 15. Three children and one teacher lost their lives in the assault. Authorities reported that a 7‑year‑old child and a 54‑year‑old teacher were taken to hospital in critical condition. Officials also announced that the assailant was killed during the incident.

Police Responded to 911 Calls

According to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, the first report came around 12:59, indicating that a vehicle near the school had opened fire. Emergency calls were then made from inside the school. Police units reached the scene quickly, and it was reported that the assailant fired at locked doors to enter the school building.

The assailant was 16 years old

Authorities said the 16‑year‑old assailant, who lived in Bend, was shot and killed inside the school. According to information reported by the Associated Press, the attacker was followed by a person at the scene and shot by that person. Whether the assailant had any connection to the school is under investigation.

The school was educating 459 students

According to data from the Oregon Department of Education, Silver Rail Elementary School, which provides education from kindergarten to fifth grade, had 459 students enrolled last year. After the attack at the school located about 200 kilometres southeast of Portland, evacuation and security operations were carried out. Families collected the children removed from the school at a meeting point set up in a nearby church.

School Activities in Oregon Were Suspended

After the attack, classes, sports activities and other school functions were cancelled on Friday at 32 schools in the Bend‑La Pine school district. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek offered condolences for those who lost their lives and thanked the person who intervened to prevent the assailant from harming more people.