Children and teacher killed in Oregon elementary school shooting

Police said the attacker was a local 16-year-old boy, but they did not release any further details about him or the identities of the victims.

They were alerted to an active shooter at Silver Rail Elementary at 12:59 local time (19:59 GMT), Bend Police Department spokeswoman Sheila Miller told reporters.

The first call came from a person who said an unknown suspect was shooting at their car with a long gun, police said. Photos released from the scene show a red truck with bullet holes.

Minutes later, the local county dispatcher received 911 calls reporting that the attacker had entered the school.

Police said he fired at locks on the doors to force his way inside.

Local media reports have suggested that the school will receive new classroom doors in 2022 that can be locked with the flip of a switch.

A passerby saw the shooting begin to unfold, followed the attacker into the school and shot him dead, police said.

Three minutes later, the first officers arrived on the scene. They confirmed that the attacker had been killed, and then searched the school.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised the victim 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 told a media briefing alongside other officials.