Vier Tote, nachdem ein 16-Jähriger in einer Grundschule in Oregon das Feuer eröffnete; der Schütze ist ebenfalls tot

Four people, including three children, were killed in a school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday. A 16-year-old shooter opened fire at the school before being shot dead by a community member who confronted him inside the building, according to local authorities. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. local time, prompting a swift emergency response from police and medical teams. The victims included three children aged 5, 8, and 11, as well as a teacher. A 7-year-old student and another teacher sustained critical injuries and were transported to a hospital. The shooter, identified as a resident of Bend, entered the school by shooting through locked doors. According to police, the first emergency call came from a person in a vehicle outside the school, reporting that someone had fired a shot at their car. Shortly afterward, additional calls reported that a person had entered the school and begun shooting. Police arrived at the scene within minutes and found the suspect dead from a gunshot wound. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed that a community member had pursued the shooter into the school and shot him. The identity of the community member has not been disclosed, though police suggested it might have been a bystander. Silver Rail Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade, typically aged 5 to 11. The school has approximately 450 students and 40 staff members. Following the shooting, the school was placed under lockdown, and a reunification center was set up at a nearby church for students and families to collect their children. School buses were seen transporting students and staff to the center. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commended the community member for intervening to prevent further casualties. She urged residents to support those affected by the tragedy. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook described the event as a senseless tragedy and extended condolences to the victims' families. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined local authorities in investigating the shooting. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that federal agents would provide all necessary resources to support the investigation. Local officials emphasized the need for continued support for the affected community and confirmed that all schools in the district would remain closed on Friday. The shooter used a pump-action shotgun, which was reportedly purchased by his mother, according to a law enforcement official. Details regarding the shooter's motivations and whether he had any connection to the school remain under investigation. Residents gathered outside the school following the incident, with flowers placed at the entrance as a sign of mourning. The community has been deeply affected by the tragedy, with many expressing shock and disbelief at the occurrence of such violence in a town often regarded as a safe place to live and raise children. The school district has canceled all classes, sports, and extracurricular activities for Friday, allowing the community time to grieve and recover from the incident.