5 believed dead after reported shooting at Oregon elementary school, AP says

Five people are believed to be dead after police responded to reports of an active shooter at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, The Associated Press reported, citing two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the case.

Authorities said the suspect was shot and killed, but it was not immediately clear who shot them or whether the suspect was included in the reported death toll. Bend Police Department spokesperson Sheila Miller said at a news conference that a bystander may have shot the suspect.

Two people were taken to nearby St. Charles Bend Hospital. Miller said multiple people, including children, were injured but it remained unclear how many.

“We don’t have a number at this point,” Miller said. “We know children are among the victims.”

The Bend Police Department said it responded to reports of an unknown man who had shot into a car at 12:59 p.m., local time. One minute later, the Deschutes County Dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting that a person had entered the school and opened fire.

Police officers arrived on the scene at 1:02 p.m. and, seconds later, officers reported that the suspect had been shot and killed.

Hundreds of first responders and law enforcement officers responded to the scene.

Police have set up a reunification site for parents and caregivers at nearby Journey Church.

All Bend-La Pine schools will be closed Friday, and all school activities have been canceled, according to the school district.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said in a statement that he and his team were “closely monitoring reports of an active shooting situation” at the school.

“My heart is with the Bend community and all of the students and families affected. No one should have to fear violence at school,” he said.

Silver Rail Elementary School holds between 400 and 450 students, with an estimated 40 faculty members, according to police.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X that the agency is on the scene and “assisting our local partners in the investigation regarding an earlier shooting at a local school. We will make every resource they need available.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that she is “closely monitoring the situation at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene. I will share as I learn more.”

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Ebony Davis contributed to this report.

The post 5 believed dead after reported shooting at Oregon elementary school, AP says appeared first on MS NOW.

Source Author
Author: Source Author

From MS Now.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *