Investigators confirm nine people were inside the classroom as police prepare to return the school building to the district.
AT A GLANCE
Incident: Silver Rail Elementary School shooting, October 15, 2026
Classroom: Four adults and five children present during the shooting
Killed: Three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and teacher Megan Lambert, 25
Injured: A 7-year-old girl and teacher Becky Drury, 54
Investigation: Evidence collection at the school expected to conclude Monday, October 19; investigation remains active
School Return: Most Bend-La Pine Schools students expected back Wednesday, October 21, with an increased police presence
Community Support: Resources available through the City of Bend, Deschutes County, and Oregon Department of Emergency Management
UPDATED: October 19, 2026, 3:47pm
BEND, Ore. — Bend Police have confirmed new details about the classroom where four people were killed in Thursday's shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, while investigators prepare to return the building to the school district and families begin the difficult process of recovering belongings left behind.
In a Monday afternoon update, the Bend Police Department said investigators have confirmed that four adults and five children were inside the classroom when the October 15 shooting occurred.
The department addressed the classroom count directly after receiving questions from reporters and community members.
Silver Rail Elementary School: Police maintain a presence outside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend following the deadly October 15 shooting. Investigators are preparing to return the building to Bend-La Pine Schools as the community continues to mourn. Jenny Kane / Oregon Public Broadcasting.
"Sometimes, as investigations progress, new information comes out that may be different from what we initially knew and shared," Bend Police said. "For example, we have received questions from members of the media and the public about how many people were in the classroom where the shooting occurred. Our investigators have confirmed that there were a total of four adults and five children in the classroom at the time of the incident."
The clarification adds to information released Friday, when police detailed how a 16-year-old gunman entered the school and opened fire inside a special education classroom serving students of different ages.
Three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert were killed. A 7-year-old girl and 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury were seriously injured.
Lives Lost at Silver Rail: Megan Lambert, 25 (left), and Rhoam Summer, 5 (right), were among four victims killed in the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. Bend Police have not released the names of the additional victims. Bend Police.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer and Lambert were publicly identified after their families authorized the release of their names. The families of the other two children killed have requested privacy.
Police previously reported that another teacher inside the classroom physically confronted the shooter, throwing her cellphone at him before tackling him and struggling for control of his shotgun. A parent who had witnessed the gunman approaching the school subsequently entered the classroom and fatally shot him.
Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS SCHOOL PREPARES FOR RETURN
Bend Police said Monday that investigators, working alongside the Tri-County Major Incident Team and other personnel, continue examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The department expects to finish collecting evidence inside Silver Rail Elementary on Monday afternoon and return control of the building to Bend-La Pine Schools.
Although the school building will no longer be an active crime scene once that work is completed, the broader investigation remains ongoing.
Police said they are not releasing additional information about the suspect, the weapon, or other investigative details at this time.
Investigation at Silver Rail: Investigators work outside Silver Rail Elementary School following the October 15 shooting. Bend Police said evidence collection inside the school was expected to conclude Monday, October 19, although the broader investigation remains ongoing. Jenny Kane / Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The department also addressed misinformation circulating in the community and emphasized the importance of relying on verified information rather than speculation.
"There is a lot of misinformation out there right now. We encourage our community to get their information from trusted sources, namely the Bend-La Pine Schools and the Bend Police Department."
The warning follows several days of intense public attention surrounding the shooting, including questions about the gunman's actions, how he obtained the weapon, and why the classroom was targeted.
During Friday's briefing, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz emphasized the department's commitment to releasing confirmed information.
"Our goal is to share vetted information that we can stand behind and be sure of, and not to speculate," Krantz said.
Remembering Silver Rail: Children add chalk messages of love and remembrance during a community gathering honoring those killed in the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. Eli Imadali / Oregon Public Broadcasting.
FAMILIES BEGIN RECOVERING BELONGINGS
As investigators complete their work at the school, families and employees are beginning another difficult part of the aftermath.
The FBI Victim Services Division is assisting families with retrieving personal belongings left in areas of Silver Rail Elementary that were not directly affected by the shooting.
Victim advocates completed a similar process for school employees over the weekend.
Police emphasized that the collection process is taking place away from the elementary school and asked the public to respect the privacy of families and staff as they grieve.
Meanwhile, memorials have continued to grow outside Silver Rail Elementary, where community members have left flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, and messages honoring those killed and supporting the survivors.
POLICE PRESENCE PLANNED AS STUDENTS RETURN WEDNESDAY
Most Bend-La Pine Schools students are expected to return to classes Wednesday, October 21, following the shooting and its aftermath.
Bend Police said officers are coordinating with the school district's safety team to provide an increased law enforcement presence at campuses as students and staff return.
"Our team is working with the safety team at Bend-La Pine Schools to ensure you see our officers in and around school campuses on Wednesday and for the foreseeable future," the department said.
Plans for Silver Rail Elementary students remain a separate consideration as the district prepares to regain access to the building where the shooting occurred.
The department has not announced a timeline for Silver Rail students to return to their school.
Silver Rail Memorial: Flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, and handwritten messages surround the Silver Rail Elementary School sign in Bend as the community mourns the four victims killed in the October 15 shooting. Bend Police Department.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND RECOVERY RESOURCES
As the investigation continues, local and state agencies are providing resources for families, students, school employees, and others affected by the shooting.
Bend Police encouraged residents to take care of themselves and seek support when needed.
The following official resources provide information about counseling, community assistance, and opportunities for support:
City of Bend: Community Support Resources
Deschutes County Behavioral Health: Upcoming Community Support Opportunities
Oregon Department of Emergency Management: Support for the Bend Community
The shooting remains under investigation, and Bend Police said additional findings will be released as information becomes available and can be confirmed.
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