The attack began at 12:59 p.m. when the teenager fired into a vehicle outside the 450 student elementary school before entering the campus, and officers arriving at 1:02 p.m. found him already dead. Law enforcement sources told CBS News the bystander held a concealed carry permit. The Bend school district banned all firearms on its property in 2022, including for permit holders, and Rep. Thomas Massie noted that the district is one of 25 out of 197 in Oregon that prohibit staff from carrying guns.
Residents gathered in Bend's Drake Park for a candlelight vigil as police and federal agents investigated the shooter's motive and possible connection to the school. Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden asked "how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence," while Democratic Rep. Janelle Bynum said students "are supposed to do arts and crafts at school, not use their desks as cover from gunfire."