From the Desk of Joey Melvin

Executive Director, Delaware School Safety Center

School Safety News

3 children, 1 teacher killed in shooting at Bend, Oregon, elementary school; teen shooter also dead: Police

ByMeredith Deliso

October 15, 2026, 8:44 PM

Three children and one teacher are dead after a shooter entered an elementary school in Oregon on Thursday and opened fire, authorities said.

The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old, was fatally shot by a community member who saw the teen going into the Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, and engaged him, Bend Police Department Chief Mike Krantz told reporters at a news conference Thursday evening.

The three children who were killed were 5, 8 and 11 years old. In addition, a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to the hospital with critical injuries, police said.

In light of today’s tragic school shooting, educators may find themselves navigating difficult conversations with students who have questions, concerns, or fears about school safety. How we communicate with children following these events plays an important role in helping them feel safe, supported, and reassured.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) offers a valuable resource to help educators, school staff, and families engage in age-appropriate conversations about violence while supporting students’ emotional well-being.

We encourage stakeholders to review and share this guidance with colleagues and families as we work together to maintain safe, supportive learning environments.

-The DSSC Team

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators

High-profile acts of mass violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children and youth who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Adults themselves may struggle with the growing reality of mass violence in the United States, particularly gun violence. However, caregivers and school personnel have a responsibility to help children and youth feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security, reinforcing their natural resilience, and talking with them about their fears.

Teen accused of mixing toxic chemicals in cafeteria faces attempted murder, terrorism charges

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - A 15-year-old Oregon high school student accused of mixing toxic chemicals in the school cafeteria is facing attempted murder and terrorism charges.

Portland Police say a Benson Polytechnic High School student brought common household chemicals from home and mixed them in the school cafeteria on Sept. 8 before passing out due to inhaling the toxic gases. Investigators identified the mix as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide.

The 15-year-old appeared in court Friday afternoon, facing a first-degree domestic terrorism charge in connection with the incident. Later Friday, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office also announced 12 counts of attempted murder.

Teen allegedly linked to violent extremist group ‘764′

French police detain student suspected of shooting the principal and a teacher at his school

AUBAGNE, France (AP) — French police detained a 14-year-old boy suspected of opening fire Monday on his middle school principal and a teacher with a shotgun that he hid in a guitar case, wounding both in a rare school shooting, prosecutors said.



A staff member at the Joseph Lakanal middle school in Aubagne disarmed the boy after he fired multiple shots while roaming on two floors of the school, prosecutors said. Police then took him into custody. Aubagne is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of the Mediterranean port city of Marseille.

Training Opportunities

We’re kicking off the Road to Prevent during Safe Schools Week 2026 with BTAM Foundations: Threat Assessment Training Virtual Summit – a free, week-long virtual summit focused on the foundations of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management. Designed for educators, administrators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and school safety leaders, the summit will explore essential BTAM concepts, emerging issues, and practical approaches for building strong, prevention-focused teams. 

Resources

The Delaware School Safety Center fully funds the SAFE DE anonymous reporting and student support platform for all Delaware schools. SAFE DE gives students a secure, confidential way to share concerns and access support, helping schools identify issues early and intervene before they escalate.

Anonymous reporting remains one of the most effective tools for preventing violence and protecting students. By ensuring staff and students know how to access and use SAFE DE, schools strengthen their overall safety posture and provide students with a trusted pathway to speak up when something feels wrong.

Contact the DSSC for more information and implementation instructions.

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