Three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher have lost their lives following a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday.
Two others, including a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher, remain in critical condition.
Police Chief Mike Krantz said the 16-year-old suspect was shot by a community member who reportedly pursued him inside the school.
According to Krantz, police received the first emergency call at 12:59 p.m. from a motorist who reported being shot at by someone carrying a long firearm. Further calls indicated that the suspect had entered the school.
Officers arrived shortly after a lockdown was ordered at 1:01 p.m. and found the suspect down. They subsequently searched classrooms and provided emergency assistance to victims.
Students were evacuated to Journey Church to reunite with their families, while two critically injured victims were taken to St. Charles Medical Center.
Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook described the incident as heartbreaking and announced the cancellation of all school activities on Friday.
Local police are investigating the incident with assistance from federal and state authorities.
