SALEM, Ore. (Oct. 26, 2026) — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced a series of emergency measures Monday aimed at supporting the Bend community following the Oct. 15 mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, including a state of emergency declaration, additional state resources and plans to secure funding for the school district’s recovery.
The shooting left three children and one adult dead and injured two others, prompting an ongoing response from local and state officials.
Kotek issued Executive Order 26-28, declaring a state of emergency for the Bend-La Pine School District and the High Desert Education Service District. The order is intended to provide both districts with additional resources and flexibility as they address the immediate and long-term effects of the tragedy.
“My heart remains broken for the students, families, school staff, and entire Bend community,” Kotek said. “Oregon will continue to stand with Bend, to make sure the community has what it needs, both in the immediate future and for the long road of recovery ahead. No parent, no educator, and no community should have to carry this burden alone.”
State Agencies Mobilizing Additional Resources
As part of the emergency response, Kotek directed several state agencies to expand their assistance to the Bend community.
The Oregon Department of Education will assign full-time staff to help the school district coordinate federal recovery grant applications, including funding available through the federal School Emergency Response to Violence program, known as Project SERV.
The Oregon Employment Department will deploy personnel to Central Oregon to help school district employees access Paid Leave Oregon benefits, allowing eligible staff members to take time away from work as needed.
Oregon State Police will expedite background checks for substitute teachers, crisis counselors and other professionals needed to support the district’s recovery.
Additionally, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training will provide 240 additional active threat training opportunities for Oregon law enforcement officers over the next three months.
Under the emergency declaration, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management will coordinate the deployment of state resources to assess and address recovery needs.
The order also authorizes the Oregon Department of Education to provide additional assistance, including administrative waivers intended to give the affected districts greater flexibility during the recovery process.
State Funding Could Be Available in December
Kotek is also working with legislative leaders to identify emergency funding that could be approved by the Legislature’s Emergency Board in December.
The proposed funding would provide immediate financial assistance to the Bend-La Pine School District while its federal Project SERV application is being processed.
Because the federal program operates on a reimbursement basis, the district could face expenses before receiving federal assistance.
State funding would help cover the costs of substitute educators, building repairs and ongoing recovery coordination and support services.
The funding remains subject to approval by the Emergency Board.
State Lawmakers Respond
State Sen. Anthony Broadman, a Bend Democrat, emphasized the community’s response to the shooting and the need for continued assistance.
“No community should have to face a tragedy like this—every mom and dad in our community is demanding action and welcoming support,” Broadman said.
He also highlighted efforts to create spaces where children and families can gather and process the tragedy while officials continue investigating the shooting and working to deliver resources.
State Rep. Jason Kropf, also a Bend Democrat, described the shooting’s impact on families throughout the district.
“There’s no true way to process this type of loss. When I heard about the shooting, my stomach dropped and my heart broke at the same time,” Kropf said.
Kropf, who has a child in the school district, said he was encouraged by the community’s response and emphasized the importance of cooperation between state and local officials.
“It will take time, but I know that through state-local partnership, we will get through this—we are a small town but part of a larger Oregon community,” Kropf said.
Statewide Firearm Storage Awareness
In addition to the emergency response measures, Kotek announced plans to direct all Oregon school districts to provide parents with information about safely storing firearms in their homes.
Under Oregon Revised Statute 166.395, firearm owners are required to secure firearms with an appropriate locking device or in a locked storage location when the weapons are not under their control.
The statewide information effort is intended to increase awareness of Oregon’s existing firearm storage requirements.
The governor’s announcement did not indicate whether firearm storage played a role in the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting.
Long-Term Recovery Efforts
The emergency declaration and additional agency support represent the state’s latest efforts to assist Bend following the shooting.
While some resources are being deployed immediately, other assistance, including potential emergency funding, will depend on actions taken in the coming weeks.
State officials said the measures are intended to ensure the school district can continue providing educational services while addressing staffing, facility repairs and the emotional needs of students, employees and families affected by the tragedy.
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