Bend, Oregon Elementary School Shooting: What We Know About the Silver Rail Elementary Tragedy

This is a developing story. This post reflects information released by police and news organizations as of October 16, 2026 and may change.

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, left three children and one teacher dead. Police say the 16-year-old suspect was shot and killed by a community member. Two others were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Key Facts Confirmed by Police

• Location: Silver Rail Elementary School, 61530 SE Stone Creek Lane, Bend, Oregon. The school serves students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
• Time: The first 911 call came at about 12:59 p.m. PT. The school was directed to lock down at 1:01 p.m., and officers arrived at 1:02 p.m.
• Killed: Three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and one teacher. Police say the families have been notified.
• Injured: A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to a Bend hospital in critical condition.
• Suspect: A 16-year-old male Bend resident, who was fatally shot at the scene. Police have not released his name, said whether he attended the school, or stated a motive.
• Bystander: A community member who saw the teen enter the school pursued him inside and shot him. Police have not released the person's identity.

How the Shooting Unfolded

According to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, the first call came from a driver who said a person with a long gun had shot at him multiple times. Shortly after, 911 callers reported a shooter inside the school. Early findings indicate the suspect forced his way inside by shooting at locked doors. Police then cleared the school room by room, and families were sent to a reunification site at a nearby church.

Is There an Active Shooter in Bend Now?

No. Police confirmed the shooter is dead, and the scene was secured on Thursday afternoon. If you searched "active shooter Bend Oregon today," this refers to the October 15 incident.

Official Response

• Governor Tina Kotek thanked teachers, staff and first responders, and said a community member "heroically intervened to stop further loss of life."
• Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook called it an "unthinkable tragedy." Classes, activities and athletic events at all Bend-La Pine schools were canceled on Friday, October 16.
• The FBI was on the scene assisting the investigation, and the ATF was reported en route.
• Vigil: Community members gathered at Drake Park in Bend on Thursday evening.

Was It the Bend High School?

No. Some searches mention a high school, but this shooting happened at Silver Rail Elementary School, an elementary school.

How Many School Shootings in 2026?

According to a CNN analysis of Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown data, as reported by TIME, this was the 52nd school shooting in the US this year, and the 36th on K-12 school grounds. Counts differ between organizations because they define "school shooting" differently.

What We Still Don't Know

• The names of the victims and the suspect
• The suspect's motive and connection to the school, if any
• The weapon used (police have not confirmed it)
• The identity of the bystander (police said they expect to share more soon)
• The condition of the two people hospitalized

Please avoid sharing unverified names or rumors, since misidentification can harm innocent people and families.

Support and Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (US) for emotional support.
• For parents: Experts suggest keeping routines steady, limiting repeated news viewing for children, and answering questions honestly in age-appropriate ways.
• Local help: Check Bend-La Pine Schools and local officials for counseling and community support information.

Sources and Live Updates

• ABC News: 3 children, 1 teacher killed in Bend, Oregon
• TIME: What we know so far about the Bend shooting
• KPTV: 5 dead in Bend elementary school shooting
• KATU: Bend elementary school shooting coverage
• NBC News live updates
• KTVZ (Central Oregon local news)
• Bend-La Pine Schools

FAQ

Where is Bend, Oregon? Bend is a city in Central Oregon, in Deschutes County, about 120 miles southeast of Portland.

How many people died? Four were killed (three children and a teacher). The 16-year-old suspect also died.

Who was the shooter? Police have only said he was a 16-year-old Bend resident. No name has been released.

Are Bend schools open? All Bend-La Pine schools were closed on Friday, October 16. Check the district for later updates.

Last updated: October 16, 2026. Our thoughts are with the families, students, staff and the Bend community.