Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old kills three children, teacher at Bend Primary School before bystander shoots him dead
PTC Web Desk: Three children were killed when a 16-year-old boy opened fire at a primary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday. A bystander stopped the attack by shooting the teenager dead, the police said.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the suspect, who has not been named, broke into Silver Rail Elementary School by firing at its locked doors. The three children who died were aged five, eight and 11. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital in critical condition.
The police have not said whether the shooter had any connection to the school.
How the attack took place
The police received the first alert about an active shooter at Silver Rail Elementary at 12.59 pm local time, said Bend Police spokeswoman Sheila Miller. The first caller reported that an unknown person was firing at their car with a long gun. Photos from the scene show a red truck with bullet holes.
A few minutes later, the county dispatch centre began receiving 911 calls saying the attacker had entered the school. The police said he shot at the door locks to get inside.
Bystander stepped in
According to the police, a member of the community saw the attack begin, followed the shooter into the school and shot him dead. Chief Krantz said the man “pursued him into the school and engaged him.” Officers reached the school three minutes later, confirmed the attacker was dead and then searched the building.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said the bystander “heroically intervened” to prevent more deaths. Speaking at a media briefing, she told him, “Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well.”
School in lockdown
A reporter from the local Bulletin newspaper told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the school was under lockdown during the attack. He said students were able to contact their parents outside using Apple watches.
Local media reports suggest the school had received new classroom doors in 2022 that can be locked with the flip of a switch.
“This is a neighbourhood school. Parents are stunned. It’s just something you don’t expect to happen in Bend, Oregon. It’s a mountain town,” the reporter said.
Gun violence in the US
The K-12 School Shooting Database recorded 235 shooting incidents at American schools last year and at least 140 so far this year.
Gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety ranks Oregon 12th among US states for the strength of its gun laws. However, the state’s gun death rate is close to the national average at 14.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to the group.
Also Read | AI agents broke into Indian company systems and read private data, CERT-In warns
- PTC NEWS
