Teenager Kills Three Children and Teacher at Oregon Elementary School, Shot Dead by Citizen

A 16-year-old teenager who broke into an elementary school in the western U.S. state of Oregon opened fire during daytime classes, killing four people, including three children and a teacher.

The gunman was also shot and killed by a citizen who witnessed the crime and chased him inside the school.

At around 1 p.m. on the 15th (local time), an armed intruder entered Silver Rail Elementary School in the central Oregon city of Bend and began shooting.

Authorities found that the suspect first fired at a vehicle parked outside the school before making his way inside.

Police stated that the gunman gained entry to the school building by shooting at a locked door.

Aside from the fact that he is 16 years old, no specific identification details have been released.

The motive for the crime, including what relation the gunman had to the school, remains unknown.

The deceased include three elementary school students aged 5, 8, and 11, along with one teacher.

Separately, a 7-year-old student and another 54-year-old teacher reportedly sustained serious injuries and were transported to the hospital.

Police reported that a citizen who witnessed the gunman entering the school chased after him and shot him dead.

The identity of this citizen has also not yet been disclosed.

Police explained that they arrived at the scene within three minutes of receiving an emergency call reporting that a person had entered the school and started shooting, but the suspect was already dead from the citizen's gunfire.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, who attended the briefing, expressed gratitude to the citizen, stating, "Their heroic intervention prevented further loss of life."

Bend is a rural community with a population of approximately 100,000.

The Bend-La Pine Schools district, which includes the affected school, has placed schools under a lockdown.

Superintendent Steven Cook released a statement saying, "Our hearts go out to the families and everyone affected," and adding, "Our immediate priority is caring for students and staff, and supporting law enforcement and emergency responders."

Silver Rail Elementary School, which serves grades kindergarten through fifth, has a total enrollment of 462 students, about 80 percent of whom are white and 20 percent from low-income families, according to the local newspaper The Oregonian, citing state data.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.