Oregon School Shooter Reportedly Fired His Mother’s Shotgun at a Pickup Truck Before Deadly Rampage That Killed Four

A devastating shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, has left a community grieving after a 16-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School, killing three children and a teacher. New details reported Friday suggest the teenager had fired his mother’s shotgun at a pickup truck in the school parking lot shortly before entering the building and launching the deadly attack.

According to a report by the New York Post, the teenager was approaching the school shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday, October 15, when he encountered a man driving a red Toyota Tacoma. The driver reportedly confronted the teen, who was carrying a long gun. The teenager allegedly fired several shots at the truck, shattering its rear window and leaving multiple bullet holes in the vehicle. The driver then contacted emergency dispatchers to report that he had been shot at.

A law enforcement source briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press that the weapon was a pump-action shotgun purchased by the suspect’s mother. Investigators are still working to establish how the teenager obtained the firearm and what led him to target the school. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether he had any connection to the school or the victims.

After the reported shooting at the truck, the teenager allegedly threw the weapon over a fence and entered school grounds. Police said the suspect forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary by shooting at locked doors before opening fire inside. Emergency calls began coming in at approximately 12:59 p.m., and the school was placed on lockdown shortly after. Officers arrived within minutes, but the attack had already claimed multiple lives.

The victims included three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, along with a teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also critically injured and taken to a hospital, according to officials. The suspected shooter was fatally shot by a community member who reportedly followed him into the school and intervened. Police have praised the intervention as a factor that may have prevented further loss of life, although the full circumstances remain under investigation.

The shooting sent frightened families rushing to reunification points as authorities worked to secure the building and account for students. More than 400 children attend Silver Rail Elementary, making the attack especially devastating for families across the area. Classes across the Bend-La Pine school district were canceled Friday as the community began confronting the tragedy.

Oregon officials expressed grief over the deaths and offered support to the affected families, students and school staff. Investigators, with assistance from federal authorities, continue examining the suspect’s actions before the shooting, his access to the shotgun and any possible motive. For now, many questions remain unanswered, while a school community that should have been focused on learning is left mourning the children and educator who never made it home.

Source: New York Post