Arabic version: معلمة وأحد المارة أوقفا مهاجماً في مدرسة بأوريغون

According to BBC News, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, threw her mobile phone before tackling a 16-year-old suspected attacker and trying to take his shotgun. A father driving past the school then entered the building with a pistol and fatally shot the teenager, police said.

The attack took place at lunchtime on Thursday in a special educational needs class. Three children and a teacher were killed, while two people were injured. Police said the suspect fired as many as 15 rounds in the classroom and had about 44 more rounds of shotgun ammunition when he was stopped.

Police identified two victims as five-year-old Rhoam Summer and 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. The families of the other two children killed, aged eight and 11, did not want them publicly identified. A 54-year-old teacher remained in hospital, while a seven-year-old pupil was in serious but stable condition.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said the teacher was not hurt and had “almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed”. He said the actions of both the teacher and the armed father saved lives. The suspect, identified as Griffin J John II, was a former special educational needs student at the school. Investigators were still examining his movements, how he obtained the gun and a possible motive.

Officials did not name the father, though Kaylub Giamanco’s family identified him to US media. Police said he had a legally concealed .40 calibre pistol in his vehicle and fired at the suspect multiple times. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek thanked the man for stopping further loss of life while recognising the emotional burden he carries.