Details about the shooting that included at least two victims at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend are still emerging, renewing calls from state, local and national leaders for an end to gun violence. Bend Police responded to the school just after 1pm Oct. 15. The assailant was dead, police said. Two others were transported to St. Charles Medical Center in unknown condition. Children were among the victims.
“I am closely monitoring the situation at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend,” wrote Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in a Facebook post Thursday. “I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene. I will share as I learn more.”
“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook wrote in a press release. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing. Our immediate priorities are caring for our students and staff and assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.”
“They’re killing our babies. Shredding our kids with lead. Forcing us to live in fear,” wrote Rep. Janelle Bynum, (D, OR-5) in a press release Thursday afternoon. “I feel this deep, deep, deep in my soul. Our whole community does. Our whole state does. And the whole nation should. Our babies are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire. They’re supposed to make friends, not mourn them. This is every parent’s worst fear. My heart and my prayers and everything else I got is with the families at Silver Rail Elementary. When will it end?” Bynum, who’s running for re-election in Oregon’s Congressional District 5, announced a pause on campaign activity Thursday due to the shooting.
“My heart goes out to the innocent victims of today’s horrific shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School and their loved ones now facing the awful consequences of yet another school shooting in America,” wrote Sen. Ron Wyden, (D-OR) in a press release. “The best way to honor these victims is to at long last pass common-sense gun laws that reduce the risks of more children, parents, teachers and staff forced to live in fear of similar nightmares for their schools.”
“The senseless violence against our children today is heartbreaking. My commitment is to the families, students and teachers as we learn details of today’s horrific event. I’m grateful to every first responder who stepped in with urgency to protect our community. May the weight of God sit heavy with any soul who justifies this evil deed,” said Oregon Rep. Vicki Breese Iverson (R-OR59).
“We know what a very difficult time this is for our community – we are thinking of the families and friends of Silver Rail Elementary and everyone in Bend and beyond who are affected by this terrible tragedy,” Bend Police wrote in a press release.
—This story will be updated as new information comes in.
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