The heroic bystander who rushed into an Oregon elementary school to end a crazed teen’s deadly mass shooting is believed to be a student’s dad, according to radio dispatch audio.
The so-far unidentified dad rushed into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend as soon as he saw the 16-year-old gunman storm in just after 1 p.m. Thursday and killed him after he gunned down three young kids — one just 5 — and a teacher.
His heroic actions were relayed to responding cops before they even got to storm the school.
“Looks like the shooter has been neutralized – possibly shot by a father at the school,” emergency dispatchers said in audio shared on Broadcastify.
“Not sure about patients at this time. The police are arriving,” the dispatcher said.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed that the deadly rampage was ended by “a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him.”
Only then did officers enter the building and confirm the crazed school shooter was dead, he said.
“To the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life, your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said.
It is not clear what weapon the hero bystander used, and authorities have yet to say whether he had a concealed carry permit.
Kathy Sheil Smith — a fifth-grade teacher who saw the shooter in the building — was among those hailing the heroic bystander for saving lives.
“That person saw something,” she told KPTV. “They did something, and that took its own courage. I’m just grateful that that person was able to apprehend the suspect.”
Oregon politicians also lauded the hero for his courage.
Oregon State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson said she was “grateful to every first responder who stepped in with urgency to protect our community.”