Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old gunman killed by a bystander

In the US city of Bend, Oregon, a 16-year-old opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School and was stopped and shot dead by a man who was there, the father of two pupils. Police said they found the body of the attacker and four victims in the building.

Local police chief Mike Krantz said on Thursday that the gunman got into the school by shooting at a locked door. A man who happened to be on the scene then went after him and killed him. When officers arrived a few minutes later, they found the dead attacker and four victims inside the school, CBS reported.

The attacker has been identified as John Griffin Jr. III, also from Bend. According to law-enforcement sources, he used a shotgun purchased by his mother. His connection to the school is not yet clear.

The family of the man who stopped the gunman released a statement and declined interviews. “He is not seeking recognition. Instead, he wants to express gratitude to the first responders and other services who worked at the scene, to school staff and to the whole community for the enormous wave of love and support. The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary has deeply affected the entire city of Bend,” the statement said.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek earlier addressed the local resident who intervened in the attack: “Your action carries a heavy emotional burden, and I want you to know that my thoughts are with you.”

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz