The suspect was shot dead moments after local law enforcement arrived at the scene/ Image @ Reuters
A 16-year-old boy has fatally shot three pupils and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, before a civilian intervened and killed him, authorities have disclosed.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the teenager allegedly fired at secured entrances to gain access to the school, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.
Police said a member of the public confronted the attacker inside the building and shot him dead. Officers arrived approximately three minutes later.
The deceased children were aged five, eight and 11. A seven-year-old pupil and a 54-year-old teacher sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Investigators have yet to establish whether the suspect had any connection to the institution.
Steven Cook, the senior administrator of the local school district, expressed profound sorrow over the incident, describing it as a devastating tragedy that had left residents struggling to comprehend the loss.
Authorities identified the gunman as a local teenager but withheld his name and further information about the victims.
According to police spokeswoman Sheila Miller, emergency services received the first report of an active shooter at 12:59 local time, equivalent to 19:59 GMT.
The initial caller reportedly alerted authorities after an unidentified individual fired a long-barrelled firearm at their vehicle. Images from the location showed a red pickup truck riddled with bullet holes.
Subsequent emergency calls informed county dispatchers that the suspect had entered the school premises. Investigators believe he shot at the door locks to gain entry.
Reports from local media indicated that the institution had installed replacement classroom doors in 2022, featuring a mechanism that allowed them to be secured by flipping a switch.
A witness who observed the violence pursued the assailant into the building and fatally shot him, preventing further bloodshed, police said.
When officers arrived, they confirmed the suspect was dead before conducting a search of the premises.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek commended the civilian for courageously stepping in to stop the attack. She also acknowledged the psychological toll the intervention could have on the individual.
Speaking alongside other officials, Kotek said her thoughts were with the bystander, recognising the emotional weight of the experience.
Meanwhile, Michael Kohn, a journalist with the Bulletin newspaper, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the tragedy had deeply shocked parents in the neighbourhood.
He described Bend as a mountain community where residents would not ordinarily expect such violence to occur.
A teacher, Kathy Sheil Smith, recounted to CNN affiliate KPTV how she attempted to reassure pupils after noticing the gunman approaching the premises.
She said the children’s expressions were distressing, adding that some prayed while others comforted their classmates. She also recalled how teachers feared they might not survive the ordeal.
Reports indicated that pupils remained under lockdown during the incident, with some communicating with their parents outside the building through Apple Watches.
Local authorities announced that schools across Bend would remain closed on Friday to allow students, staff and families time to recover from the traumatic experience.
Police said Silver Rail Elementary School accommodates approximately 450 pupils and employs more than 40 adult staff members.
Figures from the K-12 School Shooting Database recorded 235 shooting incidents at educational institutions across the United States last year, with at least 140 additional cases documented so far this year.
Oregon law prohibits individuals below 18 from purchasing firearms. However, minors may possess weapons with parental authorisation for specific activities, including hunting.
Officials have declined to disclose the exact firearm used or the number of shots fired. Multiple law enforcement sources cited by CBS News indicated that the teenager had used a shotgun.
Despite introducing several firearm safety measures in recent years, Oregon continues to face concerns over gun violence.
Gun-control advocacy organisation Everytown for Gun Safety ranks the state 12th among the 50 US states for the strictness of its firearm regulations.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong