Oregon elementary school shooting leaves 3 children, 1 teacher dead as FBI joins investigation
BEND, OREGON: Three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, October 15. The 16-year-old suspect was reportedly shot dead by a good Samaritan who followed him into the building.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities have not confirmed whether the teenager had any connection to the school.
BREAKING: The youngest victim of the deadly Oregon elementary school shooting was just 5 years old. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed during a press conference that the three children killed in the attack were ages 5, 8 and 11. A teacher was also killed. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized with critical injuries. Get the latest information about the tragic shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School on the Fox News app: https://t.co/ISpW9Fc0R3
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 16, 2026
Silver Rail Elementary School shooting leaves multiple victims
The Bend Police Department received reports of an active shooter at 12.59 pm local time on Thursday.
According to police, the suspect first fired a gun into a car before entering Silver Rail Elementary School, where he continued shooting.
Officers reached the scene within three minutes of receiving the initial report.
The shooter was reported dead shortly afterward, with police saying he may have been shot by a bystander.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed in a press conference that three children, aged five, eight, and 11, and a teacher were killed in the shooting. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also taken to a local hospital with critical injuries.
Bend-La Pine Schools responds to Oregon elementary school shooting
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook expressed grief over the shooting, offering condolences to the families and others affected by the violence.
"We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy," Cook wrote in a statement.
He added that the district's immediate focus was on supporting students and staff while helping law enforcement and emergency responders manage the situation.
"Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders," Cook said.
The school district also announced that it had established a family reunification site at a nearby church.
The location was set up to help families reconnect with their loved ones following the shooting.
All schools in the district were scheduled to remain closed on Friday. School activities and athletic events were also canceled as the community dealt with the aftermath of the incident.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirms assistance in shooting investigation
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was at the scene to assist with the investigation.
The FBI joined local authorities as officials worked to establish what happened at Silver Rail Elementary School.
.@FBIPortland is on the scene and assisting our local partners in the investigation regarding an earlier shooting at a local school. We will make every resource they need available.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 15, 2026
No further details about the suspect or the circumstances leading up to the shooting were included in the information released by authorities.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also addressed the tragedy, calling on residents to support one another as the community faced the aftermath of the violence.
"As we learn more about the tragic event at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend today, we must come together and support each other, neighbor to neighbor, Oregonian to Oregonian," Kotek said in a statement. "No community should have to live through this day."
