Four Killed in Elementary School Shooting in Oregon, United States

Three children and one teacher have been killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, in the northwestern US state of Oregon, on Thursday, police say.

The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old local resident, was also killed in the incident, authorities said.

The children killed were aged five, eight and 11, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz. Another seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital with critical injuries.

Police received the first emergency call at around 12:59 p.m. local time, reporting that a person carrying a long gun had fired at a vehicle outside the school.

Further emergency calls then reported that a shooter had entered the school and opened fire.

Officers arrived at the scene within minutes. According to police, a community member who saw the suspect entering the school pursued and confronted him, fatally shooting the teenager.

Authorities evacuated the school room by room as emergency responders and law enforcement officers secured the area.

The school district cancelled classes and other activities for Friday, while officials arranged a centre where families could reunite with students.

The shooting has prompted an investigation involving local law enforcement, with the FBI also assisting authorities. Police have not publicly identified the suspected shooter or established whether he had any connection to the school.