3 Children, Teacher Killed in Bend School Shooting; 16-Year-Old Suspect Dead
A 7-year-old child and a teacher were critically injured; police say a community member pursued the shooter into Silver Rail Elementary and fatally shot him.
AT A GLANCE
Killed: Three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and one teacher
Critically injured: 7-year-old child and 54-year-old teacher
Suspect: 16-year-old Bend resident; shot and killed inside the school
Intervention: Community member followed the shooter into the school and shot him
Entry: Shooter forced entry by shooting at locked doors
Weapon: Described by police as a long gun
Police arrival: Approximately 1:02 p.m.
School closure: All Bend-La Pine schools and activities canceled Friday
Investigation: Ongoing; another briefing planned Friday afternoon
UPDATED October 15, 2026, 7:48 p.m.
BEND, Ore. — Three children and a teacher were killed Thursday when a 16-year-old shooter forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend and opened fire, according to new information released by Bend Police Thursday evening.
A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured and transported to St. Charles Bend.
The children killed were 5, 8, and 11 years old. Police have not publicly released their names or the identity of the teacher who was killed. Families of the victims have been notified.
Outside Silver Rail Elementary: Families, staff, and law enforcement gather outside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend following Thursday’s shooting. Eleanor Moseman / OPB.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz identified the shooter as a 16-year-old Bend resident. Police have not released his name or said whether he previously attended Silver Rail Elementary or knew anyone at the school.
The shooting ended within minutes after a community member saw the suspect enter the school, followed him inside, and confronted him.
Krantz said the community member shot the suspect. Responding officers entered the building moments later and confirmed the teenager was dead.
Police have not released the identity of the person who intervened or details about the firearm that person used.
Silver Rail Elementary: Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, where police responded Thursday afternoon to an active shooter incident. Silver Rail Elementary School/Facebook.
SHOOTING UNFOLDED WITHIN MINUTES
The first report came shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday when Deschutes County Dispatch received a 911 call from a person in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times by someone armed with a long gun.
Within minutes, dispatchers received dozens of additional 911 calls reporting that a shooter had entered Silver Rail Elementary at 61530 SE Stone Creek Lane.
Dispatch issued an alert calling all available law enforcement to the school at approximately 1 p.m.
One minute later, responding officers directed the school to go into lockdown.
The first Bend Police officers arrived at approximately 1:02 p.m.
Investigation at the School: Law enforcement officers work behind crime scene tape outside Silver Rail Elementary as the investigation into Thursday’s shooting continues. Eleanor Moseman / OPB.
Moments later, an officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen him enter the school and pursued him inside.
Officers entered the building, confirmed the shooter was dead, and began methodically clearing classrooms to ensure there were no additional threats.
Police then provided emergency aid to the victims.
Officers found five people dead at the school, including the shooter. The four victims killed were the three children and one teacher.
The evening briefing provided the first official confirmation of the number of people killed and critically injured.
SHOOTER FORCED ENTRY THROUGH LOCKED DOORS
Krantz said the initial investigation indicates the 16-year-old forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary by shooting at locked doors.
Police have not yet said how far the shooter traveled inside the building, what connection he may have had to the school, or what led to the attack.
Investigators have described the weapon only as a long gun. Police declined Thursday evening to identify the specific type of firearm or say how many rounds were fired.
Police also have not released details about the community member who confronted the shooter, including whether that person had a concealed handgun license.
Those questions remain part of what Krantz described as a lengthy investigation.
“This is going to be a long investigation,” Krantz said.
Personnel from Bend Police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police, Oregon State Police, federal law enforcement agencies, and other responding organizations assisted at the school.
A large law enforcement presence is expected to remain at Silver Rail Elementary for several days as investigators process the scene.
Family Reunification: Family members embrace outside Journey Church in Bend, where Silver Rail Elementary students and staff were taken for reunification following the shooting. Eleanor Moseman / OPB.
STUDENTS REUNITED WITH FAMILIES
Students and staff were evacuated from the school room by room and transported by Bend-La Pine Schools buses to Journey Church on South Highway 97 for reunification with families and guardians.
Bend-La Pine Schools announced Thursday that all district schools will be closed Friday following the shooting. All school activities and athletic events scheduled for Friday are also canceled.
Superintendent Steven Cook called the shooting an “unthinkable tragedy.”
“We are heartbroken. We are horrified,” Cook said during Thursday evening’s press conference.
Cook praised staff members who helped students during the attack and said crisis counselors are being assembled from around the region.
Counselors will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Friday at the Central Library for students, families, district employees, and other members of the community who need support.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said the shooting had left the community grieving, while Gov. Tina Kotek praised school staff, first responders, and the community member who intervened.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with state agencies to provide assistance, Kotek said.
Krantz asked the community for patience as investigators work to determine exactly what led to the shooting.
“This is something we never want to happen anywhere, but especially and particularly in our beautiful community here in Bend,” Krantz said.
Bend Police plans to hold another media briefing Friday afternoon as the investigation continues.
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