OPB’s First Look: Investigating the Silver Rail shooting

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Good morning, Northwest.

Investigators are looking into the 16-year-old gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend and his potential connection with violent extremist groups.

OPB’s Troy Brynelson and Conrad Wilson start today’s newsletter with more information about the probe.

In other news, while Silver Rail remains closed, other students in the Bend-La Pine district are restarting classes today.

Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

Investigators probe Bend gunman’s connection to violent extremist groups

Federal and state law enforcement are investigating connections between violent online extremist groups and the 16-year-old gunman who killed three children and a teacher at an elementary school in Bend last week, multiple sources tell OPB.

As people in Bend reel from the devastation, they are seeking answers and accountability. Questions have predominantly focused on how the shooter obtained the shotgun that he used at Silver Rail Elementary.

Investigators are working to discern the gunman’s motive and whether other people online encouraged or helped plan the mass shooting. Local sources said they had not yet confirmed whether there were any co-conspirators. (Troy Brynelson and Conrad Wilson)

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3 things to know

1. Questions linger about how the 16-year-old gunman acquired the firearm used in the Silver Rail shooting and whether anyone bears responsibility for the crimes he later committed. (Joni Auden Land)
2. All Bend-La Pine schools except for Silver Rail reopen this morning. Some families are choosing to stay home and advocate for security changes. (Erik Neumann)
3. On Monday, the federal government agreed to pitch in more than $200 million for the Coos Bay Rail Line, part of the Port of Coos Bay’s vision to create an international shipping hub. (Kyra Buckley)

Northwest headlines

• Portland community solar project shines new light on former 82nd Avenue dumpsite (Monica Samayoa)
• After a heady summer, a new season full of uncertainty is at the Trail Blazers’ doorstep (Riley Martinez)
• Judge limits wild horse capture in southeastern Oregon (April Ehrlich)
• Why 250,000 Washington residents might lose their Medicaid next year (Ellis O’Neill, KUOW)
• FAA clears the way for airlines to put Boeing’s long-delayed 737 Max 10 into service (Josh Funk and Rio Yamat, AP)

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):

One more look

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival goes from surviving to thriving

Audiences are rediscovering the magic of live performance and a shared communal experience at Southern Oregon’s landmark Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Revenue has grown 150% since 2023, increasing from $7 million to $17.5 million — that represents more than 262,000 tickets sold or reserved in 2026.

“We sold out opening weekend,” said Artistic Director Tim Bond. “It was a phenomenal experience. The energy was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced truly in all my years.” (Dan Evans)

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Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.