A 16-year-old boy from Bend, Oregon, entered Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, October 16, 2026, and fatally shot three students and a teacher. Before the incident, the shooter fired at a pickup truck in the school’s parking lot using a shotgun owned by his mother. The driver of the truck confronted the boy, who then shot at the vehicle, breaking its rear window and leaving multiple bullet holes. Afterward, the shooter allegedly discarded the weapon over a fence and entered the school property, where he fired several shots at the locks to gain entry.
Law enforcement arrived within three minutes of the first 911 call, but three children aged 5, 8, and 11, along with a 54-year-old teacher, were killed. Another child, aged 7, and a teacher were hospitalized in critical condition. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz reported that a community member pursued the shooter into the school and engaged him, resulting in the shooter being shot.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the shooter had attended the school or knew the victims. In Oregon, individuals must be 18 years old to purchase rifles and shotguns, and 21 for handguns. Minors can possess non-handgun weapons with parental consent, but it is unclear if the shooter had permission to use his mother's shotgun.
The Bend La Pine school district prohibits all firearms on school property, including those carried by individuals with concealed handling licenses. However, state law allows for unloaded and locked firearms in vehicles on school grounds. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and there has been significant community grief. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed condolences and acknowledged the impact on families affected by the tragedy.