Three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting at a primary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday after a 16-year-old gunman forced his way into the building, according to local police.
The attacker was subsequently shot dead by a member of the community who pursued him into the school and confronted him, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said.
The shooting took place at Silver Rail Elementary School shortly before 1pm local time. Authorities identified the three children killed as being aged five, eight and 11.
A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also wounded and taken to hospital in critical condition.
Police said the suspect was a 16-year-old boy from the area but did not disclose his identity or establish whether he had any connection to the school.
According to Bend Police Department spokeswoman Sheila Miller, authorities first received an emergency call at 12:59pm local time (19:59 GMT) reporting an active shooter.
Investigators said the initial caller reported that an unidentified individual armed with a long gun was firing at their vehicle. Photographs from the scene showed a red truck damaged by bullets.
Additional emergency calls followed minutes later, indicating that the gunman had entered the elementary school.
Police Chief Krantz confirmed that the teenager gained access by shooting at the locks on secured doors, allowing him to enter the building despite its security measures.
A community member then followed the attacker inside and confronted him with a firearm.
Krantz said the individual “pursued him into the school and engaged him”, fatally shooting the suspect before police reached the scene. Officers arrived approximately three minutes after the initial alert.
The local school district expressed profound grief over the deaths.
“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” district administrator Steven Cook said in a statement.
“No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing.”
Local media reported that the school had installed new classroom doors in 2022, featuring locks that could be activated with a switch.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the attack, including the teenager’s motive and any possible connection to the school. The identities of the victims have not been released.