SALEM, Ore. (Oct. 26, 2026) — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered flags at all public institutions across the state to be flown at half-staff Friday, Oct. 16, in remembrance of the victims killed in Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend.
The order directs flags to remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, in accordance with the United States Flag Code.
The Oct. 15 shooting left three children and one adult dead, while another child and adult were injured. The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old, was also killed.
In a statement released Thursday, Kotek expressed profound grief over the tragedy, praised the actions of school staff and first responders, and called on Oregonians to unite in support of the victims and the Bend community.
“I want to start by thanking and praising the quick thinking and courage of the Silver Rail Elementary School staff and parents — and the first responders who rushed to the scene,” Kotek said.
The governor also acknowledged a community member who intervened during the attack, potentially preventing additional deaths.
“And to the community member who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life, your actions carry a heavy emotional burden – and my thoughts are with you,” Kotek said.
Kotek recalled visiting Silver Rail Elementary School approximately one year earlier, when she met with educators and community members who were celebrating improvements in student attendance.
During that visit, she participated in calls to parents thanking them for their efforts to help their children attend school regularly.
“I heard the joy and excitement about their school,” Kotek said.
Reflecting on Thursday’s violence, the governor described the emotional toll the shooting has taken on the community and the state.
“My heart is absolutely broken. Our hearts will stay broken in the days and weeks ahead. My daily prayers will be with this community, with the children, with the parents,” Kotek said.
“All Oregonians mourn the loss of life today. This is a horrible day. No parent should have this day. No community should live through this day.”
Kotek said the Oregon Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with multiple state agencies to provide assistance and resources to the affected community.
The governor emphasized that the state stands ready to support Bend residents, school officials, families and others impacted by the tragedy.
She also acknowledged that questions surrounding the shooting and potential measures to prevent similar acts of violence will need to be addressed.
“There will be time for answering all the questions we have and search for more ways to prevent this kind of violence from happening,” Kotek said.
However, she urged Oregonians to focus first on supporting those grieving the loss of loved ones and helping the community begin the difficult process of recovery.
“We must come together and support each other, neighbor to neighbor, Oregonian to Oregonian,” Kotek said.
The statewide half-staff order serves as a public tribute to the lives lost and a symbol of solidarity with the victims, their families and the greater Bend community.
“But for now, let us hold each other close in our grief, and put as much love into the world as possible,” Kotek said.
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