Bend police responded to an active shooter report at Silver Rail Elementary School on Friday, prompting a campus lockdown and a large emergency presence.
Officers with the Bend Police Department converged on the east Oregon school after the report came in, the department confirmed in a statement. A significant law enforcement deployment was visible at the scene as the situation developed.
“The Bend Police Department is currently at Silver Rail Elementary School after a report of an active shooter,” the department said in its statement. “There is a large police presence in the area. Please avoid the area.”
Concerned families were redirected to a nearby church as authorities secured the campus. The gathering point offered relatives a place to await updates while police continued their investigation inside the school grounds.
The lockdown disrupted the school day at Silver Rail Elementary, part of the Bend-La Pine Schools district in the central Oregon city of roughly 100,000 residents. Bend sits on the Deschutes River and has seen rapid growth in recent years, with its school population expanding alongside the broader community.
Police did not immediately release details about any injuries, suspects, or the source of the active shooter report. The investigation remained ongoing as officers methodically cleared the building and surrounding area.
The department’s public advisory to avoid the area remained in effect as the operation continued. Local traffic was affected by the concentrated police activity around the elementary campus.
Active shooter reports at schools trigger immediate, large-scale responses from law enforcement nationwide, with protocols emphasizing rapid entry and thorough clearance of buildings. The Bend response followed that standard deployment pattern, with multiple units arriving to establish perimeter control and conduct interior searches.
The nearby church where families gathered became a focal point for anxious parents seeking information about their children’s safety. School district officials typically coordinate with police to manage communications and reunification procedures during such emergencies.
Bend Police had not issued an all-clear or additional statement beyond its initial advisory as the situation remained active. The department’s social media channels and local emergency alert systems were being monitored by residents for real-time updates.