Teen Gunman Kills Three Students and Teacher at Oregon Elementary

A 16-year-old gunman killed three students, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, around 1 p.m. Thursday. He shot into a car outside, then forced entry by shooting through locked doors. A community member saw him enter, pursued him inside, and shot him dead. Police arrived within three minutes and found the suspect dead. A 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him. Governor Tina Kotek said that person heroically intervened to stop further loss of life and praised the quick thinking and courage of school staff and parents. District administrator Steven Cook said the community is horrified and will stay with the families that have had loss. Krantz said a large police presence will remain at the school for several days. Authorities are investigating any connection between the attacker and the school. Students and staff were evacuated and families reunited at a nearby church. Bend has about 100,000 people in rural central Oregon, about 280 km from Portland.