Three children reported killed in Oregon primary school shooting

Three children and an adult were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, according to preliminary information from a law-enforcement source cited by CNN. Bend police confirmed that children were among multiple victims and that the suspected gunman was dead, but gave no death toll for the other people involved in its initial statement. [2] [1]

Police said the first emergency call, at about 12.59pm local time on 15 October, reported a man shooting into a car. Within a minute, dispatchers received calls saying someone had entered the school and begun shooting. Officers arrived at 1.02pm and reported seconds later that the suspect had been shot dead. Police said a bystander might have shot him, but did not establish who fired the fatal shot. [1]

The Associated Press cited two officials familiar with the case who said authorities believed at least five people were dead. Both described that figure as preliminary, and AP said it was unclear whether it included the gunman. It therefore does not establish whether more than the four victims reported by CNN were killed. [3]

At least two people were taken to St Charles Bend hospital; police did not know their conditions when they issued their statement. Pupils were taken by bus to a church for reunification with their families. Bend-La Pine Schools announced that schools would close on Friday, according to local publication The Source. [1] [4]