A teacher and three children – one just five years old – were killed in a shooting at a primary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday.
The shooter, a 16-year-old, was found dead at the scene when police arrived.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz told US media another child and teacher had been taken to hospital with injuries.
Krantz urged patience while authorities investigated, before offering his condolences to victims in the wake of the “terrible tragedy”.
What happened?
The shooting took place outside Silver Rail Elementary School at around 1pm, local time.
Authorities initially responded to reports of multiple gunshots fired into a car.
Pictures taken by those at the scene showed a red pick-up truck with multiple bullet holes in the passenger side door.
They later received calls the shooter had entered the school grounds.
Police subsequently directed the school to go into lockdown.
A 16-year-old boy – believed to be the shooter – was wounded and fled into the school. Krantz confirmed he was later found dead when police arrived.
He added authorities believed “the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him”.
The suspected shooter had forced his way into the school by shooting through locked doors.
Upon arriving, officers found five people who “had succumbed to their injuries”, Krantz said, this included a teacher and three children aged five, eight and 11.
A seven-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to hospital for treatment in critical condition.
How have police responded?
Authorities have cordoned off the school and have begun investigating the shooting.
“We will have a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School for the next several days,” Krantz said.
Bend Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police, and Oregon State Police are working together to uncover the circumstances which led to the tragedy.
FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency would “make every resource they need available” in support of the investigation.
Authorities are expected to reveal further details about the shooting in an update on Friday.
Local, state leaders offer condolences
Local and state leaders have expressed heartbreak at news of the shooting.
Steven Cook, the administrator of the local school district, told a press conference: “We are horrified.
“This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here.
“To the families that have had loss tonight, we are with you and we will stay with you.”
He added a vigil would be held on Thursday evening, with other “opportunities to gather” planned for the coming days.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek used the same press conference to praise “the quick thinking and courage of the Silver Rail Elementary School staff and parents” and thank first responders.
“My heart is absolutely broken today, and our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead, and my daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents, and with the educators,” she added.