USA: Schießerei in einer Grundschule in Oregon: drei Kinder und ein Lehrer getötet, der 16-jährige Attentäter tot

A mass shooting occurred at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026, resulting in the deaths of three children and a teacher. The perpetrator, a 16-year-old male resident of Bend, was killed by a passerby who intervened before law enforcement arrived. The incident took place at approximately 12:59 local time, with emergency services receiving multiple calls reporting gunfire shortly thereafter. According to police Chief Mike Krantz, the suspect forcibly entered the school by shooting at locked doors. He then began firing inside the building. A civilian, who followed the suspect into the school, engaged him in a confrontation and shot him dead. Officers arrived at the scene at 13:02 and found three children, aged 5, 8, and 11, and a teacher dead from gunshot wounds. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were injured and transported to the hospital in critical condition. Their current conditions remain unclear. The identity of the civilian who killed the suspect has not been disclosed by authorities. Questions remain regarding how the civilian obtained a weapon and whether he had legal authority to carry it near a school. Despite these uncertainties, his actions prevented further casualties. Authorities have confirmed that the suspect was a resident of Bend and that there is currently no indication of a connection between him and the school. Investigations into the motive behind the attack are ongoing, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting local law enforcement. The shooting marks the 21st mass shooting in the United States in 2026 and has reignited debates over gun control during the mid-term election campaign. Local officials expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler described the day as terrible for the community, emphasizing that schools should be safe spaces for learning. Following the incident, the school district canceled classes, sports, and extracurricular activities for all 32 schools in the Bend-La Pine district. Community members gathered in Drake Park for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims. The school, which serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade, has approximately 450 students and 40 staff members. In the wake of the tragedy, parents and children were escorted to a nearby church to reunite. Some children carried favorite toys or comfort items from home. Governor Tina Kotek commended the civilian's actions as heroic and acknowledged the emotional toll such interventions can take. The nature of the firearm used by the suspect has not been officially confirmed, though a law enforcement official mentioned it could have been a pump-action shotgun. Investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack, including the suspect's motivations and potential links to the school. The community remains in mourning as it grapples with the impact of the tragedy.