Four fatalities, including three children, reported in Oregon elementary school shooting

Four people, including three children, were killed by an active shooter on Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. The victims included a 5-year-old, an 8-year-old, an 11-year-old, and a teacher, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. The 16-year-old gunman was killed after a community member followed him inside the school and shot him. Two individuals, a 7-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher, were hospitalized with critical injuries. The gunman, a resident of Bend, forced his way into the school by shooting at locked doors, police reported. Police arrived at the scene at 1:02 p.m. local time after receiving multiple calls about an active shooter on school property. A call was received at 12:59 p.m. regarding someone shooting into a car near the school with a long gun. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed gratitude for the first responders and called for unity, stating, "My heart is absolutely broken today, and our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead. We must come together and support each other, neighbor to neighbor, Oregonian to Oregonian." Senator Jeff Merkley posted on X in response to the Bend Police Department’s announcement, stating that he and his team are monitoring the situation. FBI Director Kash Patel assured that the Portland-based FBI field office is also closely following the incident, stating, "We will make every resource they need available." Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook expressed condolences, stating, "We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders." Bend is located in central Oregon. The Washington Examiner contacted the Bend Police Department for comment on the shooting.