A teenager in Oregon, who is 16 years old and has not been named, reportedly used his mother’s shotgun in a tragic incident that unfolded at an elementary school, resulting in the deaths of three students and a teacher.
According to reports, this resident of Bend was en route to Silver Rail Elementary School just before 1 p.m. on Thursday when he was noticed by a man in a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck parked in the school lot.
The shooter, armed with a long gun, later identified as a pump-action shotgun that belonged to his mother, fired at the truck after being confronted by the driver, breaking its rear window and puncturing the vehicle with at least six bullets.
After this initial confrontation, the teen allegedly tossed the shotgun over a fence before entering school property while the truck driver called for help, stating he had been shot at multiple times.
Once on school grounds, the boy picked up the weapon again and fired at the locks on the school’s doors, gaining entry. The school caters to children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Law enforcement arrived within three minutes of the first 911 call, but sadly, three children aged 5, 8, and 11, along with a teacher, were pronounced dead. Another child, age 7, and a teacher, aged 54, were reported to be in critical condition.
According to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, a bystander who witnessed the event pursued the shooter into the school and shot him, preventing further casualties.
It remains unclear whether the shooter was familiar with the victims or had attended the school previously. Authorities also have not confirmed if the bystander who intervened carried a concealed weapons permit.
The shotgun used in the incident was indeed purchased by the boy’s mother. In Oregon, the law requires individuals to be at least 18 years old to buy rifles and shotguns and 21 for handguns. Minors under 18 can hold non-handgun weapons with parental permission, but it’s not certain if that permission was granted in this case.
Previously, the Bend La Pine school district prohibited all individuals, including those with concealed carry licenses, from having firearms on school grounds, as noted in a report from 2022.
Interestingly, state law does allow for legally owned guns to be on school property if they are unloaded and locked in a vehicle.
Krantz has indicated that the inquiry into the shooting will be extensive, and the community is experiencing profound grief in the aftermath. Representative Janelle Bynum commented, expressing sorrow over the loss, stating that children are being harmed.
Former Bend Mayor Jeff Eager shared that it’s hard to wrap one’s head around such an event happening in their community, especially since many people move to Bend for its perceived safety.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed her gratitude to the heroic community member who prevented further loss of life, stating that no one should have to endure such a day. She acknowledged the heavy emotional toll as the details of this tragedy continue to emerge.
With information from various sources.
