BEND, Ore. -- Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff Friday, from sunrise to sunset, pursuant to the United States Flag Code, in remembrance of those who lost their lives on Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School.

Kotek was among those who spoke at an emotional news conference at Bend City Hall, as authorities released more details on how a 16-year-old shot his way into the school and killed three children and a teacher, critically wounding another child and teacher, before a pursuing community member shot and killed him.

Signs of a shocked community coming together in love and support arose quickly, such as the High Desert Museum offering free admission Friday. "If you need a quite place to walk, breathe and be together, our doors are open," they said in a Facebook post. "Please take care of yourselves and one another."

Bend meteorologist Dorrell Wenninger gathered up several similar examples of community support in a Facebook post:

Here's other offers of help and statements issued in the wake of Thursday's tragedy:

Free community support events scheduled Friday in Bend 

Deschutes County Health Services, St. Charles Health System, and Bend-La Pine Schools are partnering to host free, walk-in community support events on Friday, Oct. 16, following the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary.

The events will provide immediate support, connection and crisis stabilization tools, for families, staff and community members.

Event details:

Community Support & Healing Gathering (CISM)

• When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 (Drop-in format)

• Where: Deschutes Public Library - Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini St., Bend

• Cost: Free and open to all students, families, staff, and community members.

Community Support & Healing Gathering (CISM)

• When: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 (Drop-in format)

• Where: Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend

• Cost: Free and open to all students, families, staff, and community members.

"Today’s events have deeply shaken our entire community, especially our families, students, first responders, and educators at Silver Rail Elementary," said Behavioral Health Director Shannon Brister-Raugust, "and we want our community to know the resources they have and that we are here to help."

“We know that healing takes time, and we are committed to working alongside our local partners to provide the safe spaces, emotional support, and care that our neighbors need right now,” said Molly Wells Darling, Senior Director for Behavioral Health with St. Charles.

What is CISM?

The events will use Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) frameworks. CISM is a structured, short-term supportive discussion designed to help individuals process the acute physical, mental, and emotional reactions that naturally follow traumatic experiences. CISM is not psychotherapy or clinical counseling; rather, it provides a safe, compassionate environment to understand normal stress responses, share experiences, and learn practical coping tools from trained peers and professionals.

At each event, professional crisis response staff and peers will lead small-group discussions, offer guidance on how to talk to children about traumatic events, and connect people with local resources.

Immediate Family and Crisis Resources:

For families and staff seeking immediate help before or after this event, several specialized county and regional systems remain fully operational:

• Walk-In Care: The Deschutes County Stabilization Center is open 24 hours a day at 63311 NE Jamison St., Bend.

• Local Crisis Line: Call 541-322-7500 ext. 9.

• National Hotline: Call or text 988 any time.

Central Oregon Community College statement:

In response to today’s tragic events at Silver Rail Elementary School and the Bend-La Pine Schools closure, COCC will close all campuses and facilities on Friday, Oct. 16.

All classes and college operations are canceled for the day. Normal operations will resume following Friday’s closure.

To anyone in our COCC community who is impacted, please know that your well-being and the safety of your loved ones come first. We recognize that situations like this can bring up a range of emotions, even for those without a direct connection to the school. Please remember that COCC is here to support you and offers free, confidential personal counseling. You can make an appointment by calling 541-366-6482 or emailing shay@collaborativehealingbend.com.

Bobcats, please take care of yourselves and one another. We are a community, and moments like these remind us of the importance of looking out for each other. Together, we are stronger. https://cocc.edu/emergency/

ONA Statement on School Shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend

BEND, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is devastated by the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. ONA members’ hearts are with the children, families, staff, and community members killed, injured, and traumatized by this senseless violence. In a close-knit community like Bend, everyone is impacted by this tragedy, including many of our own members who have children in the Bend-La Pine school district.

We are in close contact with our local members and stand with the nurses, health professionals, and first responders who answered the call during their community’s darkest day. We see you, we appreciate you, and we will support you as we attempt to treat the trauma, pain and loss this community faces in the days, months, and years ahead.

Nurses and health professionals witness the devastating consequences of gun violence every day. It is a national public health crisis that leaves physical, mental, and emotional scars on patients, healthcare providers and the communities we care for.

ONA and the American Nurses Association (ANA) have spent years advocating for policies which help prevent gun violence, including universal background checks, closing gun show loopholes, community violence prevention, firearm injury prevention, school safety, and expanded access to mental health services.

Nurses and healthcare workers will not shrink from our responsibility to care for our communities during emergencies. And we will continue working toward common sense solutions which keep our schools, hospitals, and communities healthy and safe.

We call on our elected leaders at the local, state and federal level to stand with us and take action now to stop this senseless violence and prevent the next tragedy.

OSU-Cascades campus closure in response to tragic events at Silver Rail Elementary School

15 October 2026

Dear OSU Community:

On behalf of OSU-Cascades, let me express the profound sadness and disbelief that many of us are feeling as we hear news of the tragic events that unfolded this afternoon at Silver Rail Elementary School. While it will take time for a fuller understanding to take shape, we are already aware that colleagues, students, family and neighbors have connections to the school and today’s events, and we are organizing to share our support.

Recognizing members of our community who are coping with loss or need to be with their families during this time, we will close the OSU-Cascades campus tomorrow, Friday, with the exception of those designated as essential employees, including employees who support residential programs, dining and public safety. We will reopen the campus on Saturday.

For employees and students processing this terrible news and needing support, these resources are available:

• Employees can access mental health resources through Lyra Health either online or by calling their Care Navigator team at 877-505-7147 (available 24/7).

• Students can connect with Anytime, Anywhere for in-the-moment support (available 24/7).

• Student Health and Wellness provides counseling services at OSU-Cascades. Also, through a partnership with Anytime Anywhere: TELUS Health, students have access to certified mental health counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Student Care supports students who are navigating extenuating circumstances through resource referral and exploring university options (available Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM). Please keep the families of Silver Rail Elementary School in your thoughts and prayers tonight. If you or your family were directly impacted, please contact me personally so I can ensure that we are offering you university resources and support.

Warmly,
Christine Pollard

State of Oregon Extends Condolences and Offers Support Following Bend School Shooting

Oregon Department of Emergency Management

SALEM, Ore. —The State of Oregon extends its deepest condolences to the families, students, educators, school staff and entire Bend community affected by today's shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School.

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy, especially the victims and their loved ones. We also recognize the 9-1-1 telecommunicators, first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, school officials and community partners who responded to this heartbreaking incident.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to maintain situational awareness to support additional resources or assistance that may be needed.

State agencies, including the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon Department of Human Services, are working with their respective partners to support the community.

As the incident transitions into the investigation and recovery phases, state officials encourage Oregonians to support those affected, respect the privacy of victims and families, and rely on official sources for accurate information.

What Community Members Can Do

During this difficult time, the public can help support the response and recovery efforts by:

• Following official instructions: Stay informed through local law enforcement, emergency management and school district communications.

• Avoiding the affected area: Allow first responders, investigators and families the space needed to safely carry out their work.

• Preventing misinformation: Do not share unverified reports, images or identifying information about victims.

• Supporting children and families: Check in with loved ones, listen to their concerns and provide reassurance and emotional support.

• Respecting privacy: Give affected families and the school community time and space to process this tragedy.

For the latest official updates regarding the incident, visit the Bend Police Department website.

Crisis Support

Tragic events involving school violence can have lasting emotional impacts on students, families, educators, first responders and the broader community.

It is normal for individuals to experience fear, sadness, anxiety, confusion or other emotional reactions following a traumatic event. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk with children in age-appropriate ways, provide reassurance, maintain routines when possible and limit repeated exposure to distressing news coverage.

Free and confidential mental health resources are available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential emotional support, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish-language support is also available.

• YouthLine: Call 877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863 for support designed for teens and young adults.

• 211info: Dial 211 or visit 211info.org for information about community services and available support resources.

Anyone experiencing an immediate emergency should call 911.

School Safety and Emergency Preparedness Resources

The Oregon Department of Education's School Safety and Emergency Management program provides resources to help schools and communities strengthen preparedness, emergency response and recovery efforts.

Resources include emergency operations planning, training, exercises, family reunification planning and coordination with local emergency response partners.

School districts and community members interested in learning how they can help make their communities more responsive and resilient during times of crisis are encouraged to visit the Oregon Department of Education's School Safety and Emergency Management webpage.

Continued State Support

The State of Oregon remains committed to supporting the Bend community as local officials continue their investigation and recovery efforts. State agencies will maintain coordination with local partners and stand ready to assist with additional resources as needs are identified.

During this difficult time, Oregonians are encouraged to come together with compassion, support those affected and allow the community the time and space needed to begin healing.

For the latest information and official updates, visit the Bend Police Department.