Tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook expressed profound sorrow at a recent tragedy. Cook stated that the district is in shock and deeply saddened by the event, conveying heartfelt condolences to those affected.

He emphasized the district’s focus on supporting students and staff and cooperating with law enforcement and emergency services.

Police Response Timeline

Police officials reported that Bend police officers arrived at Silver Rail Elementary School within three minutes of the first call. At 12:59 p.m. PT, a call came in about a shot fired into a car. By 1 p.m., multiple 911 calls reported a shooting inside the school, prompting a critical response alert.

Officers reached the scene by 1:02 p.m., and soon after, they received information that the suspect was neutralized.

City and Federal Involvement

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and city officials are scheduled to hold a news conference to discuss the incident. Meanwhile, agents from the FBI’s Portland bureau are present to assist with the ongoing investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel assured that all necessary resources will be available to local authorities.

The Oregon State Police may take the lead in the investigation, with federal involvement continuing as essential.

Our hearts are with the affected families, our community, and the first responders, stated St. Charles Health System, where two injured individuals were taken.

Their conditions remain unknown, according to police spokesperson Sheila Miller.

Lockdown and Evacuation

The Bend-La Pine School District urged locals to avoid the area, announcing the school’s lockdown status on social media. Law enforcement is currently evacuating the premises, going through each room methodically. Emergency services are directing traffic at the Journey Church, designated as the family reunification area.

Approximately 400-450 students and over 40 staff members are impacted at Silver Rail Elementary.

State Response

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is actively monitoring the situation. She expressed gratitude for the swift actions of the first responders and is awaiting further information.

Details of the Shooter

The sole suspect in the shooting has been declared dead, as per Bend police reports. The suspect was found inside the school. Police are investigating who shot the suspect, with possibilities indicating it could have been a bystander.

Initial reports indicated a shooter firing into a car, followed by immediate multiple emergency calls reporting shots within the school. Officers arrived shortly after, subduing the shooter within seconds.

Hospitalization and Community Impact

At least two individuals, including children, have been hospitalized due to the incident. Their current status is not publicly available. A reunification center is operating at Journey Church to assist families of students.

The tragic event has deeply affected the community in Bend, a city located approximately 3.5 hours southeast of Portland, Oregon.