A 16-year-old opened fire Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three children and a teacher before an armed bystander followed him inside and shot him dead.
The brave “good guy with a gun” was reportedly the father of a student at the school.
Democrats in Congress responded by calling for gun control.
The attacker used a pump-action shotgun his mother had purchased. He first fired at a vehicle in the parking lot around 12:59 p.m., then shot through locked exterior doors to force his way in.
Inside, the shooter killed children ages 5, 8, and 11 and a teacher.
A 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were critically wounded.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said an armed bystander saw the teen entering with the long gun, pursued him, and engaged him.
The suspect was already dead when officers arrived.
Governor Tina Kotek called the bystander a hero.
The father, obviously, prevented more deaths.
That did not stop the usual response from the left.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren posted that her heart went out to the victims and that “there have been over 50 school shootings just this year. Congress must do much more to prevent gun violence.”
Devastating. Little kids. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and the people of Oregon.
No family should ever have to suffer like this—and there have been over 50 school shootings just this year.
Congress must do much more to prevent gun violence.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 16, 2026
Sen. Tammy Duckworth wrote that kids should be picking out Halloween costumes, not hiding from a gunman, and that “inaction is not an option.”
3 kids and one other have been killed at an elementary school in Oregon. Kids should be picking out Halloween costumes—not hiding from a gunman.
Our kids deserve leaders who will do everything they can to keep them safe from gun violence.
Inaction is not an option.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) October 15, 2026
Sen. Ron Wyden asked “how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence.”
My heart is with the victims of today’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School and their loved ones now facing the consequences of another school shooting in America. Once again we must ask how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) October 15, 2026
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said the epidemic of gun violence in schools must end.
As a parent and policymaker, my heart is breaking for the students, families, teachers, and staff at Silver Rail Elementary School and the entire Bend community. No parent should have to wonder if their child will come home at the end of the day. The epidemic of gun violence in schools across America must come to an end. Children deserve to feel safe–and be safe–in school.
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) October 15, 2026
At a vigil, Rep. Janelle Bynum asked when lawmakers would “practice that same bravery that that bystander had” by restricting who can possess firearms.
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