Three young children and a teacher killed in Oregon elementary school shooting

On Thursday, a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, claimed the lives of at least four people, including three children aged 5, 8, and 11, and a teacher. Another child and teacher were hospitalized but their conditions were unknown. A 16-year-old suspect was found dead inside the school when police arrived, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz.

A community member had pursued the shooter into the school and shot him, Krantz added. Authorities are still investigating and believe at least five people died in the incident, though this number could change. The suspect's age was confirmed as either 15 or 16, though no other details about him have been released at this time. The shooting occurred around 12:59 p.m. when police and emergency services responded to reports of gunfire outside and inside Silver Rail Elementary.

The school, which serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade, had 459 enrolled students as of the previous year. The school district and police spokespersons expressed their shock and grief over the tragedy, with the district stating it was "devastating."