'What happened should never happen': What we know about the Oregon elementary school shooting that left four dead

An American school is once again in mourning. Three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting caused by a teenager at an elementary school in the state of Oregon, in the United States, on Thursday October 15. The 16-year-old shooter was shot dead before police arrived. Here is what we know about this affair.

An attack quickly interrupted

The attack took place at Silver Rail Elementary School in the town of Bend, located in the state of Oregon. The assailant, armed with a "long-barreled weapon", shot at the locked doors of the establishment to open them and gain entry, said Mike Krantz, the local police chief, during a press conference.

The shooting was reported to police around 1 p.m. (local time). The first police officers arrived on scene two minutes later, but the shooter was already dead, according to authorities. The school, where more than 400 children attend, was slowly evacuated in the afternoon.

The suspect is a 16-year-old teenager living in this town of just over 100,000 inhabitants. His identity has not been revealed. Police also have not said whether he had a connection to the school, what weapon he used, how many bullets he fired or what his motive may have been.

Four dead and gunman shot dead

“Among the victims on site were three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, as well as a teacher,” explained the local police chief. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also injured in the shooting, he added. They were taken to hospital with “critical injuries.”

The shooter was shot dead by an armed passerby who saw him "enter the school" and "pursued him inside", according to Mike Krantz. Authorities have not specified who this passerby is, simply described as a “member of the community”. He “intervened to prevent further lives from being lost,” greeted Tina Kotek, the Democratic governor of Oregon.

A city in shock

“I have no words to describe what our community is feeling right now,” said the local rector, Steven Cook, during a press conference. "We are heartbroken. We are horrified," he added. "It's the kind of thing you hear about elsewhere, and pray it never happens here. And yet, it happened here today."

Bend residents gathered for a wake accompanied by prayers, songs and candles. Psychological support must be offered in the coming days to students, their families and school employees and “anyone in this community who needs help at this time,” assured Steven Cook. The school will also be closed on Friday, according to CNN.

"A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel safe. What happened today should never happen."

Melanie Kebler, Mayor of Bend

quoted by AFP

Rallies must be organized in the coming days to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting and "start the difficult healing process", because "we are all going to need to support each other", declared Melanie Kebler, the mayor of Bend, quoted by CNN.

“Our hearts will remain broken in the days and weeks to come and my daily prayers will be with this community, the children, the parents and the teachers.”

Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon

quoted by AFP

This attack is the 36th to devastate a school since the start of the year in the United States, according to figures compiled by CNN. School shootings regularly shock the country. Despite the recurrence of these tragedies, the political debate on weapons is running dry.