Three children aged five, eight and 11, and a teacher were killed after a 16-year-old gunman forced his way into an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, and opened fire on Thursday afternoon.
The suspected shooter was also killed after a community member who saw him entering Silver Rail Elementary School confronted and fatally shot him, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a news conference.
A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were also taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Police have not publicly identified the suspected shooter, who was described as a Bend resident. Authorities have yet to establish whether he attended the school or knew anyone there.
The incident began shortly before 1pm local time, when police received a report from a driver who said they had been shot at multiple times by someone carrying a long gun.
Shortly afterwards, the Deschutes County dispatch centre received multiple emergency calls reporting that a gunman had entered Silver Rail Elementary School.
Krantz said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect forced his way into the building by shooting at locked doors.
The school was placed under lockdown at 1.01pm, and officers arrived a minute later. Police were told that a community member had confronted the suspect after seeing him enter the school and subsequently shot him.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek thanked teachers, school staff and first responders who rushed to the scene, as well as the community member who intervened to prevent further loss of life.
Police evacuated the school room by room and established a family reunification centre at a nearby church.
Classes, activities and sporting events across Bend-La Pine Schools were cancelled for Friday.
Superintendent Steven Cook described the shooting as an “unthinkable tragedy”, saying the school community was heartbroken and horrified.
The FBI is assisting with the investigation, while agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also expected to join the response.
