A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher. However, an armed community member pursued the suspect inside the school and fatally shot him, police said.

According to police, the teenager entered Silver Rail Elementary School by firing through locked doors. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect.

The victims included children aged 5, 8 and 11, along with a teacher. Meanwhile, a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher suffered critical injuries and were taken to hospital, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a press conference.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek thanked the community member who intervened to stop the attack. She said the person had “heroically intervened to stop further loss of life.”

“No parent should have to have this kind of day, and no community should have to live through this kind of day. And as we learn more about the children and the adults who have been killed or injured, and their families and their loved ones, we are going to do a lot of crying, and we are going to cry together, and we’re probably going to cry privately,” Kotek said.

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Krantz explained that the community member saw the suspect enter the school and followed him inside. However, police have not yet publicly identified the individual.

The shooting has renewed debate over gun violence and school safety in the United States. Previous attacks at Columbine High School in 1999, Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, have also prompted repeated calls for action.

In addition, these attacks have intensified disagreements over gun laws and the Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. While gun control advocates have called for stronger restrictions, some gun rights supporters argue that arming teachers could help protect schools.

Police respond within minutes

Krantz said every Bend police officer completed a full day of active-shooter training in August. He stressed that officers must continue preparing for such emergencies.

“Unfortunately, this is something we train for on a regular basis, and we must,” Krantz said.

He added: “This is going to be a long investigation.”

The first emergency call came at 12:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, according to Krantz. A person in a vehicle reported that someone carrying a long gun had fired at them multiple times.

Shortly afterwards, dispatchers received dozens of additional calls reporting that a shooter had entered the school. As a result, law enforcement directed school officials to initiate a lockdown.

Officers arrived at 1:02 p.m. Moments later, an officer reported that the suspect had been shot, Krantz said. Police then entered the building and confirmed that the suspect had died.

Silver Rail Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade, covering children roughly 5 to 11 years old. According to officials, the school has about 450 students and 40 staff members.

Bend is a city of around 100,000 people in central Oregon. It lies about 100 miles southeast of Portland, near the Deschutes National Forest.

Gabrielle Giffords calls for action

Meanwhile, gun control advocate Gabrielle Giffords, a former congresswoman who survived a mass shooting in 2011, said she was “heartbroken” by the attack.

“This cannot continue to be a reality in our country. Leaders at every level must step up and act,” Giffords said in a statement.

Authorities have not announced a motive for the shooting. However, police say the investigation remains ongoing.