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Tragic detail emerges about hero gunman who ran into Oregon elementary school to end mass shooting
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New details have been revealed about the man who ended a mass shooting at an elementary school in Oregon by killing the shooter.
Just after 1PM on Thursday (October 15), a 16-year-old gunman stormed into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend and began firing, killing three children and a teacher.
The horrifying incident was stopped when a hero bystander, who has not yet been publicly named, ran into the school and shot the gunman dead, preventing further deaths.
According to reports by the New York Post, radio dispatch audio suggests the hero was in fact the father of a student at the school.
His actions were relayed to responding officers before they arrived at the school after the shooting had been phoned in, and emergency dispatchers said in audio shared on Broadcastify: "Looks like the shooter has been neutralized – possibly shot by a father at the school."
The dispatcher added: "Not sure about patients at this time. The police are arriving."
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed the incident was ended by "a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him."
When police entered the building, they confirmed the school shooter was dead, he added.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said: "To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life, your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you."
According to reports, three children aged five, eight, and 11 were killed along with a teacher. A seven-year-old student and another teacher, 54, are in hospital in critical condition.
Per the New York Post, the shooter had allegedly headed toward the school just before 1PM, where he was confronted by the driver of a Toyota Tacoma in the parking lot.
He allegedly fired several shots, shattering the rear window and covering it in bullet holes, before shooting the locks on the school doors and entering.
Once inside the building, the gunman began shooting at innocent children and their teachers, before he was shot by a bystander.
It has not been revealed what weapon the bystander used, and authorities have not yet confirmed if he had a concealed carry permit.
Kathy Sheil Smith, a fifth-grade teacher who saw the shooter inside the school, praised the man for stepping in and preventing even more deaths.
She told KPTV: "That person saw something. They did something, and that took its own courage. I’m just grateful that that person was able to apprehend the suspect."
Sheil Smith revealed that she moved her fifth grade students into the corner of the classroom to try and protect them, adding: "I’m sure that every teacher at the school thought today is the day that I am going to die. Save my kids."
Oregon State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson said she was “grateful to every first responder who stepped in with urgency to protect our community.”
She added: "May the weight of God sit heavy with any soul who justifies this deed,” branding the violent act as “senseless”.