Bend Mourns Three Children, Teacher as Investigators Search Shooter’s Home/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised a community member who pursued and shot the teenage attacker who killed three children and a teacher in Bend. Investigators searched the suspect’s home and seized electronics, while two wounded victims were reported in critical condition. The community gathered to mourn as authorities examined the teenager’s background and sought a motive.
Quick Look
- Civilian praised: Officials said a local person helped end the attack and likely saved lives.
- Four victims killed: Three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher died.
- Two critically injured: A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized.
- Home searched: A law enforcement source told CNN that investigators seized computers and other electronics.
- School connection: Police initially said the connection was unknown; CNN later reported that the parents said their son had attended Silver Rail.
- Community mourning: Residents held a vigil, and Friday activities were canceled at all 32 area schools.
Deep Look
Governor Praises Civilian Who Intervened in Bend School Shooting
BEND, Ore. — Oregon officials praised a community member who pursued and shot a teenage gunman during Thursday’s attack at Silver Rail Elementary School, where three children and a teacher were killed.
Gov. Tina Kotek said the person’s actions helped end the rampage and likely prevented additional deaths.
“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life: Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,” said Kotek.
Authorities have not identified the person or explained whether they have a connection to the school.
They also have not confirmed whether the shot fired by that person killed the attacker, who was found dead inside the building.
Parent Expresses Gratitude as Memorials Grow
Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals appeared near the school, which sits in a densely developed neighborhood of newer homes.
Brooke Olsen, whose daughter attends kindergarten at Silver Rail, said she was astonished that someone from the community pursued the gunman.
“I think it’s miraculous that someone was there before law enforcement even arrived to stop further tragedy from happening,” Olsen said Friday, weeping at times. “I’m feeling very grateful.”
Her comments reflected the gratitude expressed by residents as families and neighbors struggled with the deaths.
Three Children and a Teacher Killed in Attack
Police Chief Mike Krantz said the 16-year-old suspect, identified publicly only as a Bend resident, entered the school by shooting through locked doors.
The children killed were 5, 8 and 11 years old. Authorities had not released details about the teacher who died.
A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were wounded and taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The teenager was found dead within minutes of the first emergency calls.
Official Says Suspect’s Mother Purchased Shotgun
The attacker used a pump-action shotgun purchased by his motheraccording to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
The official spoke to The Associated Press anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.
The AP report noted that Oregon law permits a minor to possess a shotgun when it is provided by a parent or another person acting with parental consent.
The account did not establish how the teenager obtained access to the weapon used in the attack.
Investigators Search Home and Seize Electronics
In a separate update, a senior law enforcement official told CNN that investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home Thursday night.
Computers and other electronic devices were seized. Investigators also obtained warrants to access the devices and extract their data, the source said.
Local authorities and the FBI planned to examine the material for information that could help explain the shooting.
The source said the teenager’s parents cooperated with investigators and told them their son had attended Silver Rail Elementary.
That account added a possible school connection after police had initially said they did not know whether the suspect had attended or knew anyone there.
No clear motive had emerged from interviews conducted so far, according to CNN’s source.
Police Arrive Within Minutes of Emergency Calls
The first 911 call came early Thursday afternoon from someone outside the school who reported being shot at by a person carrying a long gun, Krantz said.
Further calls came from inside the building.
Police spokesperson Sheila Miller said officers arrived within minutes. The attacker was shot and went down inside the school shortly after their arrival.
Silver Rail serves kindergarten through fifth grade and had approximately 450 students enrolled last year, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
Children were transported by bus to a nearby church serving as a reunification center.
Parents embraced their children and held their hands as they returned to their vehicles. Some brought favorite stuffed animals and other familiar items to comfort them.
Bend Residents Gather for Vigil
At a vigil Thursday night, children drew chalk hearts on the sidewalk and held candles alongside adults.
Classes and all other activities were canceled Friday at the area’s 32 schools.
Bend, home to approximately 100,000 people, is central Oregon’s largest city. The mountain-ringed community has grown substantially over three decades and is known for tourism and outdoor recreation.
It lies about 125 miles southeast of Portland.
The school attack was the 28th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database maintained by AP and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
Attack Recalls Earlier Bend Supermarket Shooting
The tragedy came four years after a deadly supermarket shooting in Bend in which an employee confronted a gunman firing inside the store.
The employee, a U.S. Army veteran whom police praised as a hero, and a customer were killed.
The gunman in that earlier attack died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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