Teen Kills 3 Kids, Teacher at Oregon Elementary School
Does this tragedy show the need for stricter gun laws or the value of armed citizens?
Story
Above: Community members grieve during a candlelight vigil at Drake Park in Bend, Oregon, on Oct. 15. Image credit: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images
The Facts
- A 16-year-old opened fire Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, along with a teacher. An armed community member pursued the shooter into the building and killed him.
- The suspect, a Bend resident armed with a long gun, forced his way into the school by firing at locked doors. A 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized with critical injuries at St. Charles Bend.
- Dispatchers received a call at 12:59 p.m. from a driver who reported being shot at by someone with a long gun, followed by dozens of calls saying a shooter had entered the school. Officers arrived at 1:02 p.m. and confirmed the suspect was dead.
Sources Split
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
+2
+1
+1
+2
ESTAB
CRIT
CENTER
PRO
ESTAB
The Spin
Left narrative
Classrooms keep turning into crime scenes because lawmakers block measures proven to save lives. Common-sense safety laws have worked in other wealthy countries, and gutting prevention programs only guarantees more funerals. Thoughts and prayers have never stopped a bullet, but strong laws have.
Right narrative
Gun-free zones disarm the law-abiding while doing nothing to stop someone willing to shoot through locked doors. What ended this attack was an armed citizen who acted before police could arrive, not a policy. Tighter gun laws would target people like him while leaving the real problem, evil, untouched.
