Bend Police Update Classroom Count, Outline Next Steps In Silver Rail Shooting Investigation

BEND, Ore. - Bend police said Monday, Oct. 19, that investigators have confirmed four adults and five children were in the classroom where the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting occurred Thursday, Oct. 15.

The clarification came as the department prepared to finish collecting evidence inside the school and return the building to Bend-La Pine Schools. Police said that work was expected to conclude Monday afternoon, though the broader investigation remains ongoing.

Bend police, the Tri-County Major Incident Team, and other investigators continue to work on the case. The department said it is withholding additional information about the suspect, the weapon used, and other investigative details for now.

Police acknowledged that families and community members still have questions. The department also cautioned against misinformation and encouraged residents to rely on updates from Bend police and Bend-La Pine Schools.

“Sometimes, as investigations progress, new information comes out that may be different from what we initially knew and shared,” the department said.

The FBI Victim Services Division is helping families retrieve belongings left in unaffected areas of Silver Rail Elementary. Victim advocates completed that process for staff over the weekend, according to police. The return of belongings is taking place away from the elementary school.

The department asked the public to give families and staff privacy and space to grieve during that process.

With most Bend-La Pine students expected to return to school Wednesday, Oct. 21, police said they are coordinating with the district’s safety team to provide a visible officer presence in and around campuses that day and for the foreseeable future.

Community support information is available through the City of Bend, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.