Five people, including three children, died in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school after a series of 911 calls brought police to the scene within minutes.
The first 911 call reported gunfire directed at a vehicle outside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. Within moments, other callers reported that the gunman had entered the school, setting off an emergency response that would unfold in just minutes.
The shooting on Thursday, October 15, 2026, left five people dead, including three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, and a teacher, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).
Two other people, ages 7 and 54, were hospitalized. Their conditions were not immediately reported. OPB’s report did not identify the victims by name.
The first 911 call came at approximately 12:59 p.m. Within three minutes, officers had reached the school. A nearby resident’s account and later police statements provide a closer look at how those minutes unfolded.
A Neighborhood Walk Was Interrupted by Gunfire
Bend resident Leah Schwartz was walking with her husband and dog near Silver Rail Elementary when she heard sounds she could not immediately identify.
During an interview with NBC News, Schwartz described the routine outing and the first sounds that interrupted it.
“We were just on our usual afternoon walk. My husband and my dog and I, we heard about three gunshots,” she told Hallie Jackson.
Schwartz said she initially wondered whether the noise might have come from nearby construction, so they continued walking. Then came three more shots, followed shortly afterward by sirens.
The significance of what she heard became apparent after she returned home and saw news coverage of the shooting. “It’s just really heartbreaking,” Schwartz said.
The First 911 Caller Reported Being Shot At
At 12:59 p.m., a person inside a vehicle called 911 to report being shot at multiple times, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during a Thursday news conference, according to OPB.
The Bend Police Department‘s initial statement described the first report as an unknown man shooting into a car.
About a dozen additional 911 calls followed, reporting that a shooter had entered Silver Rail Elementary School. Dispatchers alerted law enforcement at 1 p.m. The school entered lockdown at 1:01 p.m., according to Krantz.
Within two minutes of the first emergency call, the reports had shifted from gunfire directed at a vehicle to a shooter inside an elementary school.
The Suspect Entered Through Locked Doors
The later police briefing provided an important detail about how the suspect gained access to the school. According to OPB, Krantz said the suspected shooter entered by firing at locked doors.
Officials said the suspect used a long gun, a firearm category that includes rifles and shotguns. They did not specify the weapon’s exact type. Authorities also had not established where the suspect went inside the building before being killed.
The first Bend Police officers arrived at 1:02 p.m., approximately three minutes after the initial emergency call. A CBS News 24/7 report included an assessment that the incident unfolded within “maybe 6 minutes.”
By the time officers reached the school, another encounter involving the suspect had already begun.
A Community Member Followed the Suspect Into the School
Moments after officers arrived, an officer reported that the suspected shooter had been shot.
Bend Police initially raised the possibility that a bystander was responsible. At a later news conference, Krantz gave a more detailed account of what officers had learned.
“Moments later, an officer reported that the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school, and pursued him into the school and engaged him,” Krantz said, according to OPB.
Officials said the community member fatally shot the suspect after following him into the building. They did not immediately identify the person.
An emergency medical services radio dispatch captured an early, unconfirmed description of the person involved. “It looks like the shooter has been neutralized, possibly shot by a father at the school,” the dispatch audio said, according to CNN.
At the news conference, however, officials described the person only as a community member. They did not confirm whether the individual was a parent or had another connection to the school.
With the suspect dead, officers continued clearing the building and checking for victims.
Students Were Evacuated as Families Awaited Reunification
Bend-La Pine Schools arranged buses to transport students to Journey Church at 61303 S. Highway 97, where families and guardians were directed for reunification.
Officials asked the public to avoid both locations because of the large law enforcement presence.
As the district coordinated the reunification process, Superintendent Steven Cook addressed the tragedy in a statement released by the Bend Police Department. “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Cook said.
“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. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders,” Cook added.
At a 5:30 p.m. news conference, officials confirmed the deaths of three children, a teacher, and the suspected shooter. They also reported that two other people had been hospitalized, according to OPB.
The disruption extended into the following day. A notice posted on the Silver Rail Elementary School website announced that all schools would be closed on Friday, October 16. All activities and athletic events scheduled for that day were also canceled.
Suspect’s Age Emerges as Motive Remains Unknown
As more details emerged Thursday evening, officials had not publicly identified the suspected shooter. Four law enforcement sources told OPB that the suspect was a minor. One source said the suspect was 16 years old.
The sources requested anonymity because the information had not yet been made public. Authorities also said it was unclear whether the suspect had any connection to Silver Rail Elementary School.
Investigators Trace Firearm as Police Continue Their Work
Federal authorities also took steps to investigate the weapon used in the attack.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an urgent firearm trace and received the results, NBC News reported, citing a source familiar with the investigation and crime scene. The report did not disclose what the trace revealed.
Bend police had completed active-threat training at a local high school in August, about two months before the shooting. Krantz addressed that preparation while discussing the department’s response.
“Unfortunately, this is something we train for on a regular basis, and we must,” Krantz added.
Investigators would also need time to examine the circumstances of the attack. “We will have a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School for the next several days as our officers continue to conduct a very thorough investigation so we get all the answers,” Krantz said.
Oregon Leaders Call for Action and Offer Support
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden addressed the shooting in a post on X, reflecting on its impact on the Bend community.
“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,” Wyden wrote.
Fellow Senator Jeff Merkley said in a separate post that his team was monitoring developments. He expressed support for affected students and families and said no one should have to fear violence at school.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised school staff, parents, first responders, and the community member who intervened during the shooting. Speaking about the impact on Bend, she acknowledged the grief the community would face in the coming weeks.
“My heart is absolutely broken. Our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead. My daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents,” Kotek said, as reported by KVAL.
Kotek also recalled visiting Silver Rail Elementary nearly a year earlier and said state agencies were coordinating support for the community.
Her public response began with an Instagram statement saying she was monitoring the situation and thanking first responders. In a later post, she called on Oregonians to support one another and stressed that no community should have to experience such violence.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan also responded to the shooting, calling for action to prevent similar incidents. “My heart is with the students, families, teachers and staff facing an unimaginable tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend,” Drazan said, according to KVAL.
What We Know About Silver Rail Elementary School
Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has a building designed to support classroom instruction and shared learning activities.
According to the school’s official website, Steel and Associates designed the campus with a central area connecting the gym, media center, and performing arts center. The building also uses LED lighting throughout, making it the first elementary school in Oregon to do so, according to the school.
Students also have access to a dedicated classroom for activities involving science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
The school is led by Principal Lybe Hawkins. Its educational priorities include academic achievement, student well-being, and community involvement. The school also emphasizes helping children build positive relationships, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and develop resilience when facing challenges.
As investigators continue examining the firearm and the circumstances surrounding the attack, questions remain about the suspect’s connection to the school. As of this writing, the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and police have said their investigation will continue in the days ahead.