Child, Bend, Oregon School: Mom Recalls Hearing ‘Active Shooter’ Warning

A warning from nearby

Major was working just steps from her son’s elementary school on Thursday afternoon when a co-worker said gunshots had been heard. Employees began locking the doors. Major said she briefly sat down, then paced before unlocking the doors and running to the school. She recalled not knowing at first whether her co-workers understood that her child was there.

Shooter entered the school

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said at a Thursday press conference that the alleged shooter forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors. The alleged shooter was a 16-year-old male.

Families faced painful news

Tyler Major said their child did not understand that anyone had died until after the family picked him up. The parents then talked with him about what had happened.

Tyler said he was standing away from the crowd gathered outside when he saw another parent learn that their child had been shot. He described the moment as heart-wrenching and said he stepped away to sit and grieve for that family and others who had lost loved ones.