Central Oregon Strong: Rep. Janelle Bynum Reflects on Silver Rail Shooting, Community Unity

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum has visited the Silver Rail community multiple times in the week following the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, working to connect educators, parents and families in Central Oregon with mental health services and recovery resources.

Bynum's congressional office is coordinating support through its official website, bynum.house.gov, which maintains real-time updates on available services. The office has established a “no wrong door” policy, assisting residents who reach out via phone or email from start to finish.

U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum met with local educators to address workplace returns and time needed for grieving following the tragedy. “I had a good conversation with the teachers and what they needed was some certainty about what it looks like to come back to work, what it looks like to have moments to grieve,” Bynum said. She emphasized the importance of educators supporting one another as they navigate leave options.

Social workers informed Bynum's office that parents retrieving their children's belongings expressed concern over federal law enforcement activity in the area. “Just one of the fears actually we heard from the social workers about parents who needed to pick up their items their children's items We heard that ICE was in the area and they made a very clear request to have ice out of the picture so that families can Pick up their items and and and not feel scared to come to the the areas that have been designated,” Bynum said. Mental health resources and counseling advice are also being offered to visiting parents at the local library.

During her visit to the library support site, Bynum learned that one health insurer was not processing claims for affected individuals, prompting plans to intervene with regional insurers and hospital officials.

Bynum, who was present near the Clackamas Town Center during a past shooting with her son, urged community members to address gun violence directly. “I think number one, having honest conversations about what gun violence looks like in our community, not running away from that conversation, but being true to your feelings about it as we start to have more community conversations on it,” Bynum said.

Describing the protective reaction of local families, Bynum called on lawmakers to prioritize safety over political disputes. “The mama bears. Like, my mama bear has come out. And the papa bears. And we don't play about our kids. Like, that's in here. So if you mess with our kids, you messed with us,” Bynum said. She added, “I need the adults to enter the room instead of the politics, right? The politics are what's killing us and killing our babies, shredding our children.”

Bynum stated her office will contact local hospitals and regional health insurers to resolve claims processing issues for affected community members.