Oregon Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff Oct. 16 in Honor of Bend School Shooting Victims
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Oct. 15 ordered flags at all public institutions statewide to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Oct. 16, in honor of the victims and survivors of the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend. The governor's office announced the order in a release issued from Salem, saying it was made pursuant to the United States Flag Code.
The shooting occurred on the afternoon of Oct. 15. At an evening press conference, Bend police confirmed five people were dead, including the gunman: three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and one teacher. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were taken to St. Charles hospital in critical condition. Police said the gunman, a 16-year-old Bend resident, shot through locked doors to force his way into the school with a long gun and was shot and killed by a bystander who intervened. Kotek issued a statement mourning the victims and thanking the community member who stopped the gunman.
Kotek attended the Oct. 15 press conference in Bend. Bend-La Pine Schools has canceled classes for the remainder of the week. The victims' names and a motive have not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
Speaking at the press conference, Kotek said: 'My heart is absolutely broken. This is a horrible day. No parent should have this day. No community should live through this day.' She also thanked school staff, parents and first responders for their swift response.
It is Kotek's second half-staff order this week. She had previously ordered flags lowered on Oct. 17 for David Taylor, an Oregon-raised federal wildlife officer who died Aug. 29 while helping with wildfire evacuations in Oklahoma.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：10月15日17时30分，俄勒冈州长科特克在本德市政厅记者会上就Silver Rail小学枪击案发言，州与地方官员列席。图片为本德市政府官方记者会直播画面截图。Photo: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks at the Oct. 15 press conference in Bend City Hall on the Silver Rail Elementary shooting. Frame from the City of Bend's official livestream.
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