Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.
Good morning, Northwest.
Bend police now say there were more people than initially reported in the classroom at Silver Rail Elementary School where a gunman opened fire last week, killing three students and a teacher.
OPB’s Joni Auden Land reports on new details in how the shooting unfolded to start today’s newsletter.
Also this morning, people rally to support Bend shooting victims through dance, art and more.
Here’s your First Look at Tuesday’s news.
— Bradley W. Parks
Top story
Heart-shaped balloons float among police tape at a makeshift memorial in front of Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., on Oct. 16, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Bend police now say an additional student and adult escaped Silver Rail shooting unharmed
For the first time since the tragic mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary last week, Bend police said that an adult and a student in the classroom managed to somehow escape unharmed.
Police had previously said at an Oct. 16 press conference that three adults and four students were in the classroom. Three students and one teacher were killed in the shooting. Another teacher and student were injured.
The new information that a teacher and student escaped brings the total number of people in the classroom to five children and four staff members, Bend police spokesperson Sheila Miller told OPB by phone Monday.
The alleged shooter, 16-year-old Griffin John II, is not included in that count. (Joni Auden Land)
Parents share memories of 5-year-old killed in Bend shooting
Rhoam Summer loved dancing, dinosaurs and making art, the parents of the 5-year-old kindergarten student killed at Silver Rail Elementary School said in a statement released through their lawyers.
Now, Kelik and Lillian Summer are asking those grieving their son’s death to turn to art.
Bend dancers rally to support 7-year-old wounded in Silver Rail shooting
The Dance Connection studio in Bend opened its doors Sunday for a dance class and give-what-you-can fundraiser for Saylor Graham, 7, who was critically wounded in the shooting at Silver Rail.
3 things to know
Mitchell Kelly, left, and Eileen Quiring O'Brien are running to be Clark County auditor in the 2026 general election.
Erik Neumann / OPB
- Midterm elections are fast approaching, which means it’s time for Portland and Multnomah County voters to brush up on ranked choice voting. Here’s what you need to know. (Jess Hazel)
- In the race for Clark County auditor, a seasoned Southwest Washington politician has based much of her campaign on questioning the integrity of the office she wants to lead. (Erik Neumann)
- Some 800 Portland city workers could strike as soon as next month — and that number could nearly double by December if another city union approves a strike next week. (Alex Zielinski)
Northwest headlines
FILE - Gustaco Piñon drops off a ballot in a ballot box at Washington State University’s Vancouver campus in Vancouver, Wash. on Aug. 4, 2026.
Saj Sundaram / OPB
- Bynum seeks reelection in Oregon with Democrats poised for favorable midterm (Bryce Dole)
- Feds intercept ‘suspicious’ package intended for Oregon election office (Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
- Police shoot and injure man after Eugene standoff (KLCC Staff)
- Election officials urge Washington voters to cast ballots early (Freddy Monares, KNKX)
- Southwest Oregon airport eyes Portland flights as it plans for major growth (Theo Greenly, JPR)
- Protest in Southwest Washington against trans runner on girls cross-country team goes viral (Sarah Mizes-Tan, KNKX & KUOW)
Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation
“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):
- Portland ghost tour guides share their best haunted stories
One more look
An undated photo of Luna at the Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wis. The arctic fox was found in a Portland park in 2024.
Courtesy of Ochsner Park Zoo
Luna the arctic fox is making friends and fans in Wisconsin, 2 years after being found in Portland
A young arctic fox found wandering Portland two years ago, alone and far from her natural territory, is capturing hearts in the Midwest.
With her fuzzy ears, round dark eyes and fluffy white coat, the little fox made headlines in Portland in October 2024. That’s when several people — including an OPB employee — spotted her wandering near Willamette Park.
This week, almost exactly two years after captivating Portlanders, the Bird Alliance of Oregon shared an update on Facebook about how the fox — now officially named Luna — is faring. (Cambrie Juarez)
Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.
