Oregon School Shooting: Three Children, Teacher Killed; 16-Year-Old Suspect Dead

October 16, 2026

Oregon: Four people, including three children aged 5, 8 and 11 and a teacher, were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, in the United States, on Thursday. The 16-year-old suspect also died, while a seven-year-old child and another teacher were reported injured.

The shooting prompted an emergency response from local law enforcement, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) joining the investigation. Authorities were working to establish the motive, identify the weapon used and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Shooting Reported at Silver Rail Elementary School

According to Bend Police, the first emergency call came in at around 12:59 pm local time after a man reportedly fired shots into a car near the school. Additional 911 calls soon followed, reporting gunfire inside the premises.

Police officers reached the scene within minutes, and the suspect was reported down shortly after their arrival.

Bend Police communications manager Sheila Miller said officials initially received reports of a shooting outside the school before further calls indicated that the attacker had entered the building.

Police Chief Mike Krantz said the suspect had been shot by a community member who saw him enter the school and followed him inside.

Authorities had not immediately established all the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, including who fired the fatal shot.

Three Children and Teacher Among Victims

Three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher were reported killed in the attack. A seven-year-old child and another teacher, aged 54, were also reported injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Their condition was described as critical in the initial reports.

The reported death toll initially stood at five, according to law enforcement officials cited by The Associated Press. However, authorities had not clarified at that stage whether the deceased suspect was included in the figure. Subsequent reporting identified four victims killed in the attack, in addition to the suspect.

The suspect was identified as a 16-year-old male. Police had not released his name as the investigation continued.

Investigators were also examining the type of firearm used, the number of rounds fired and whether the suspect had any connection to the school. A motive had not been established in the initial reports.

School Evacuated as Police Launch Investigation

Following the shooting, Silver Rail Elementary School was placed under lockdown, and students and staff were evacuated as officers searched the premises.

Authorities urged the public to stay away from the area while emergency personnel secured the scene and investigators gathered evidence.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook described the incident as an unthinkable tragedy, acknowledging the distress experienced by students, families, teachers and the wider community.

He said the district’s immediate priorities were supporting students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.

The district also cancelled classes across Bend-La Pine Schools for Friday as the community began dealing with the aftermath of the shooting.

FBI Joins Probe Into School Shooting

The FBI’s Portland office confirmed that its personnel were assisting local law enforcement with the investigation.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency would make the necessary resources available to support local authorities.

Oregon officials also expressed concern over the incident as police continued their inquiry. Authorities were expected to provide further details as more information became available.

The investigation remains focused on reconstructing the events leading up to the shooting, determining the suspect’s motive and establishing the full circumstances of the deaths and injuries.