4 killed, including 3 children, in shooting at Oregon elementary school, source says. Shooter is also dead
By Emma Tucker and John Miller, CNN
(CNN) — Three children and one adult were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, according to preliminary information from a law enforcement source.
The shooter had already been shot and killed inside the school when police arrived at the scene at about 1 p.m., police said. At an earlier news conference, police said there were multiple victims, including children, did not specify a number.
It’s not yet known who killed the shooter, but it “may have been a bystander,” said Sheila Miller, spokesperson for the Bend Police Department.
Medics transported at least two people to the hospital, according to police.
The first 911 call indicated an “unknown man had shot into a car,” moments before multiple calls to police reported a person had entered the school and started shooting, police said.
Silver Rail Elementary School was placed on lockdown, and the Bend Police Department set up a reunification point for student families.
The FBI is on the scene and assisting in the ongoing investigation, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will make every resource they need available,” he said on X.
There have been at least 52 school shootings in the United States so far this year, leaving at least 28 people dead and 48 others injured, according to CNN’s analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary represents the 36th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year, the data shows.
“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing.”
City officials will hold another news conference about the shooting at 5:30 p.m. local time at the City Council Chamber, according to a city council member.
A large crowd of parents and concerned community members gathered outside the school Thursday afternoon as they waited for updates about the situation. There was a large police and emergency personnel response, including police vehicles, ambulances and a fire truck.
School buses carrying students and staff members later arrived at the reunification center set up at the nearby Journey Church.
Over 400 students are enrolled at Silver Rail Elementary.
In a statement responding to the tragedy, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said: “My heart is with the victims of today’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School and their loved ones now facing the consequences of another school shooting in America.”
“Once again we must ask how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence,” he continued.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The-CNN-Wire
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