Bend Elementary School Shooting
I'm angry.
On Thursday (10/15/2026) afternoon, 3 children (ages 5, 8, and 11) and a teacher were shot and killed at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, by a 16-year-old boy. As of writing this, 1 child (age 7) and a teacher are in the hospital in critical condition.
The call to 911 came in at 12:59pm, when the shooter was entering the school. By the time police arrived at the scene, at 1:02pm, the victims and the shooter were dead. A bystander (as well as a father of two students in the building) followed the shooter into the building and shot him. 3 minutes. That's all it took for the families of the victims to lose a loved one.
I work at a high school. I watched them lower the flag to half mast this morning. Every day I enter the building knowing that today could be the day I die for these kids. That is unacceptable. Schools are supposed to be safe places. Students and educators shouldn't have to fear for their lives every goddamn day.
I know that I would put my life on the line for my students. I am an adult in charge of protecting these kids, but fuck, I'm only 22. The fact that I know I would sacrifice myself in that situation if needed scares the shit out of me. That's not something anyone should have to carry.
I'm sick. I'm scared. I'm angry.
The US prioritizes the right to bear arms over the lives of innocent children. The leading cause of death for children and teens in the US is gun violence. Not cancer or car accidents, guns. We need stricter gun laws. There's no reason that a 16-year-old should have had access to a gun.
My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. It also goes out to all that have been affected by gun violence.
No more thoughts and prayers. We need change.
Protect kids, not guns.