BEND, Ore. — An Oregon school shooting killed three children and a teacher Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. Another child and teacher were critically injured, authorities said.

The children killed were 5, 8 and 11 years old, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to St. Charles Medical Center in critical condition, authorities said.

Police said the suspected shooter, a 16-year-old, was killed by a community member who followed him into the school. His death was separate from the four victims killed in the attack.

How the Oregon school shooting unfolded

According to the Bend Police Department’s initial account, the first emergency call came at approximately 12:59 p.m. Pacific. The caller reported that someone had fired into a vehicle outside the school.

Within the next minute, dispatchers received additional calls reporting that someone had entered the building and started shooting. Dispatch then alerted law enforcement agencies to respond.

Officers arrived at 1:02 p.m., about three minutes after the first call. Seconds later, police reported over the radio that the suspect had been shot and killed.

At Thursday evening’s briefing, Krantz said the gunman had forced his way inside by shooting at locked doors. Authorities said a community member saw the suspect enter, followed him and fatally shot him inside the school.

Officials had not publicly identified the person who intervened in the reporting available Friday morning. Police also had not established a motive or confirmed whether the suspect had a connection to Silver Rail.

Related coverage: Earlier report: Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting Draws Large Police Response in Bend

Families reunited as schools closed

After the shooting, officers worked through the building classroom by classroom. School buses transported students to Journey Church, where officials established a reunification site for families.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that hundreds of parents and community members gathered at the church as news spread. Meanwhile, officers continued searching the school and its grounds.

Silver Rail serves more than 400 students. The attack prompted the cancellation of Friday classes throughout the Bend-La Pine district, extending the disruption beyond the elementary school.

“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” Superintendent Steven Cook said in a statement released by police. He said the district’s immediate priorities included caring for students and staff and supporting emergency responders.

Hundreds gather to mourn after Oregon school shooting

By Thursday evening, hundreds of people had gathered at Drake Park for a vigil, according to OPB’s reporting from Bend. Families, children and clergy members held candles, prayed and sang together.

The gathering followed hours of uncertainty for families waiting for information about their children. OPB described parents arriving at the reunification center while police managed access and helped families find their way.

At the vigil, one attendee who knew the family of the youngest child killed described the loss and the fear that other parents were experiencing.

“You never want to say goodbye to your kids in the morning and even assume that you wouldn’t see them again at the end of the school day,” Kevin Desrosiers told OPB.

Oregon orders flags lowered

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions lowered from sunrise to sunset Friday in remembrance of those killed.

In a separate statement about the shooting, Kotek thanked school staff, parents and emergency responders. She also praised the community member who intervened, while acknowledging the emotional burden of that experience.

Kotek recalled visiting Silver Rail nearly a year earlier, when she joined educators and community members in calling parents to recognize improvements in student attendance.

“All Oregonians mourn the loss of life today,” she said.

The governor said state agencies were coordinating assistance and would support the community’s needs as the investigation and recovery continued.

Investigation continues as families seek answers

The FBI was assisting local authorities, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Oregon State Police also responded, CBS News reported.

Although police have described the initial emergency response, major questions remain about why the school was targeted and the circumstances leading up to the attack. Authorities had not answered those questions at Thursday evening’s briefing.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said state education, health and human services agencies were working with local partners to support the community.

The agency also urged the public to avoid circulating unverified reports, images or identifying information about victims. It asked residents to follow official updates and give affected families privacy.

For parents and caregivers, the department recommended age-appropriate conversations, reassurance and limiting children’s repeated exposure to distressing coverage. Those immediate needs accompany an investigation that will continue beyond the emergency response.