BEND, Ore. — A shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday left four dead, including three children and a teacher, and critically injured two others. Authorities reported that a 16-year-old former student, identified as Griffin J. John II, entered the school armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, shooting his way through locked doors before opening fire in a special education classroom.

The three children killed were aged 5, 8, and 11, and one of the victims was a 25-year-old teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher sustained critical injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Following the attack, school officials placed the district on lockdown and arranged bus transportation for students to reunite with their families at a separate location.

According to Bend Police Chief Michael Krantz, the incident was halted by the combined efforts of a teacher and an armed adult community member. A female teacher reportedly confronted the shooter in the classroom, throwing her cellphone at him, tackling him, and attempting to wrestle away his shotgun without sustaining injury. Shortly thereafter, a father from the community pursued the assailant into the building and fatally shot him, preventing further casualties.

The shooter, a resident of Bend, forcibly entered the school by shooting open locked doors, and fired at least 15 rounds during the rampage. Police responded rapidly to emergency calls, arriving on the scene within minutes after the first reports around 1:00 p.m. local time.

The attack has deeply shaken the community of approximately 100,000 residents. A candlelight vigil was held Thursday evening at Drake Park, where local residents expressed shock and grief. School district officials described the day as an “unthinkable tragedy,” while parents anxiously awaited news of their children’s safety.

This incident adds to the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States, a country that experiences a high rate of firearm-related deaths compared to other developed nations. Calls for stricter gun control measures followed the event, with advocates highlighting the recurring nature of such tragedies and urging political action.

The Bend-La Pine School District cancelled classes and activities on Friday as it began the difficult process of healing and recovery. Authorities continue their investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting.