Oregon Classroom Shooting: Teacher Fought Gunman Before Parent Stopped Him

Oregon – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – A teacher fought back during the Oregon classroom shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, police said on Friday. Officers say her courage likely saved more lives.

The attack happened in a special needs classroom. Three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and one teacher were killed. Two other people were wounded.

Police say the shooter was a 16-year-old former student. He first fired through locked glass doors to get inside the school. He carried a 12-gauge shotgun.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz shared new details at a press conference. He said a teacher in the room threw her cellphone at the attacker. She then tackled him and tried to take his shotgun.

The teacher was not hurt. The chief said she almost certainly prevented more bloodshed.

While the two struggled, a parent ran into the classroom. Police say he had seen the gunman firing outside the campus and followed him into the building. The parent then shot the attacker dead.

Officers reached the school within three minutes of the first call. By then, the gunman was already dead.

Police say the attacker fired about 15 rounds inside the classroom. He had another 44 rounds on him.

Chief Krantz praised both heroes. He said people who risk their own lives for others deserve deep respect. He called the teacher’s stand “true heroism.”

The parent’s family asked for privacy. His two daughters attend the school. In a short statement, the family thanked first responders, school staff and the community for their support. He is not looking for attention.

On Friday morning, residents gathered near the school to mourn. They placed flowers and candles beside the yellow police tape. Bend is a city of about 100,000 people, around 175 miles southeast of Portland.

One neighbor said he was thankful to the father for saving many lives. A kindergarten mother said the town now needs to think about stronger school safety.

The Oregon classroom shooting has again raised questions about gun laws in the United States. Past attacks at Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland and Uvalde remain painful memories for many families.