Police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred on Thursday at Silver Rail elementary school in Bend, Oregon. A 16-year-old opened fire, killing three children and a teacher, before an armed bystander shot him dead.
Authorities in Oregon stated that the children killed were aged five, eight, and 11. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also hospitalised with critical injuries.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said officers arrived at the school at 1.02pm, shortly after receiving emergency calls. The school had gone into lockdown at 1.01pm. An officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had pursued him into the school.
Officials said the gunman was a 16-year-old resident of Bend who forced his way into the school around 1pm by shooting at locked doors. As of Friday morning, authorities have not named the victims, the shooter, or the bystander. The FBI is assisting local law enforcement with the investigation.
All schools in Bend and the neighbouring city of La Pine were closed on Friday. A candlelit vigil was held in Bend on Thursday night, attended by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler.