What We Know So Far About the Elementary School Shooting in Bend, Oregon

Police tape is placed outside Silver Rail Elementary school in Bend, Ore., on Oct.

15, 2026. —Joe Kline—AP A 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher before being shot dead by a community member, police said.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said in a press conference that the children killed at Silver Rail Elementary School were aged 5, 8, and 11.

Also, a 7-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher were transported to St.

Charles Bend hospital with critical injuries.

Krantz said the suspect, a male city resident who has not yet been publicly identified, was spotted entering the school by a community member, who eventually pursued him into the school and shot him.

The chief said the suspect forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors.

Police did not speculate on the shooter’s motive and said they did not know whether the suspect knew anybody in the school or if he had attended.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that the agency’s Portland field office is assisting in the investigation.

“We will make every resource they need available,” he added.

A vigil was held Thursday evening in the wake of the shooting.

Community members grieve during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park in Bend, Ore., on Oct.

15, 2026. —Mathieu Lewis-Rolland—Getty Images “A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure,” Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said at the same press conference the police chief spoke at.

“What happened today should never happen.” Oregon Gov.