A 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday after forcing his way through locked doors. He was later shot by a person at the scene who followed him inside, authorities said.
The suspect was found dead inside the school within minutes of the first report of the shooting, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said.
The children killed were aged 5, 8 and 11. Another child, 7, and a 54-year-old teacher were injured and taken to hospital in critical condition, Krantz said.
The first emergency call came shortly before 1pm from a person in a vehicle outside Silver Rail Elementary School who reported being fired at by someone carrying a long gun, Krantz told reporters. Additional 911 calls came from inside the school, and officers arrived within minutes, police spokesperson Sheila Miller said.
The attacker, identified by police as a Bend resident, was shot and fell inside the school shortly after officers arrived. Authorities said they did not know whether he knew anyone at the school or had previously attended it.
The children were transported by bus to a nearby church designated as a reunification centre for families. Parents embraced their children and held their hands as they walked to their vehicles. Some children carried favourite stuffed animals and other comforting items brought from home.
Silver Rail Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It had 459 enrolled students as of last year, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
Bend, located about 125 miles (200 kilometres) southeast of Portland, is a high-desert city that has experienced substantial population growth over the past three decades. It is also a popular destination for tourism and outdoor recreation near Mount Bachelor.
Classes, sports and extracurricular activities were cancelled on Friday at all 32 schools in the Bend-La Pine School District.
The shooting was the 28th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said the attacker used a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said at a news conference that her heart was “absolutely broken” and thanked the civilian who pursued the gunman.
“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 as well,” she said.