Armed citizen chased teen Oregon gunman into elementary school and shot him dead minutes into attack: Police say hero saved multiple children's lives

A heroic community member raced into an Oregon elementary school in pursuit of a teen gunman who shot and killed four people, including three children. 

The unidentified hero was praised by Governor Tina Kotek after gunfire erupted in Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.

'To the community member who heroically intervened...your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I want you to know my thoughts are with you as well,' Kotek said at a press conference. 

They had ran after and 'engaged' the 16-year-old shooter shortly after the teen opened fire, striking at least six people, according to Bend police Chief Mike Krantz. 

The teen had armed himself with a pump-action shotgun purchased by his mother and killed three children, aged five, eight and 11, as well as a teacher. 

Police have not yet revealed the identities of the victims from the tragedy.  

Kotek applauded the community member's actions that she said helped prevent 'further loss of life.'

'My heart is absolutely broken today... this is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day,' she added. 

A seven-year-old and a 54-year-old teacher were also struck in the chaos and transported to hospital with critical injuries. Their condition remains unclear.  

'This is a terrible tragedy and we are working hard to investigate this incident,' Krantz continued.

The events began when a man driving a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck in the school parking lot spotted the teen carrying a long gun approach the building, according to The Source. 

The driver then confronted the teenager, who in turn fired numerous shots at the civilian and his truck, shattering a rear window and leaving six large bullet holes in the vehicle.

At that point, the assailant allegedly threw his gun over the school fence and hopped over - prompting the driver to call Deschutes County dispatchers at around 12.59pm.

Officers ordered the school into a lockdown as they reported to the scene within minutes. 

But the suspect forced his way into the building by shooting at locked doors - at which point dispatchers started receiving 'dozens' of 911 calls, Krantz said.

The suspect was then found shot and killed.

'Officers at the scene located five people who had succumbed to their injuries, including the suspect,' Krantz said.

The school was placed under lockdown following the shooting, as police officers went room by room to evacuate the building, police spokeswoman Sheila Miller said. The school has a student body of between 400 to 450 pupils and a staff of more than 40.

Officers clad in bullet proof vests and carrying assault rifles were also seen in the aftermath peering into the vehicles parked at the school's lot, while parents, teachers and children huddled together, embracing and wiping tears from their faces. 

A motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities would not confirm on Thursday night whether the suspect knew anybody at the school or if he had attended it when he was younger. 

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr Steven Cook held back tears as he thanked emergency responders and the schools staff for their efforts to protect students during the attack. 

'Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,' he began.

'We are heartbroken. We are horrified. This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here... today it happened to our children, our teachers and our families.'

As Cook uttered words to his community, his voice wavered when he thanked the heroic efforts of the school staff.

'To our staff who helped our students and protected our kids today, we thank you. You did what no one should ever be asked to do. I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts,' he said.

'This is a time to love and care for one another...Please hold your loved ones tight tonight...We are going to rally and care for one another... We will get through this.'

Cook earlier described the attack as a 'senseless tragedy.'

'We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,' he said. 

Worried parents rushed to the nearby Journey Church to be reunited with their loved ones as officials evacuated the youngest children first.

As she waited for her nephew, Mindy Corley, the aunt of a fifth-grader at the school, told NBC News how he was left 'very scared' in the aftermath of the shooting.

She said he has a cellphone and was able to tell his mother he was OK, but 'he was clearly very, very scared and wanted to go home.'

Steven and Angela Nuchols also told how they got their eight-year-old daughter, Charlotte, dressed up for picture day earlier on Thursday.

They then had to race to the school just a few hours later.

'It was crawling with police officers from all over the country,' Angela said. 'You've got guys in tactical gear, rifles. You're just scared to death wondering is your child OK? You don't know.'

The couple was later reunited with their daughter, but Angela said it was 'like the worst three hours of our lives.'

Meanwhile, Federal agents from the FBI's Portland Bureau and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have descended on the scene to aid in the investigation, with FBI Director Kash Patel vowing to 'make every resource [local law enforcement needs] available.'

The city's mayor, Melanie Kebler, said that their 'hearts are broken.'

'A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never happen,' she added.

The school district has canceled all classes, activities and athletic events that were scheduled for Friday.