In wake of PBMS student’s loaded gun, target list, Bend-La Pine Schools supt. urges community to avoid speculation

(Update: Adding video, comments from superintendent)

'It's too soon to jump to those conclusions,' Dr. Steven Cook says

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend-La Pine Schools superintendent urged caution in communication by parents and others Friday, a day after police said a 12-year-old Pilot Butte Middle School who was arrested Monday for bringing a loaded handgun to school had "a plan to use it" and "an identified list of targets."

"We don't know all of the circumstances on how this incident took place. That is what we'll commit to finding out, as soon as we get an opportunity to dig in deeper on this," Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook said.

The student had disclosed to a teacher that they had brought a loaded gun to school, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said Thursday, revealing that officers transported the student to Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice on suspicion of attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, disorderly conduct, unlawful use of a weapon, and first-degree theft. 

"During the course of our investigation, detectives and officers learned the child had brought the gun to school with a plan to use it and had an identified list of targets. Everyone identified on that list has been contacted by police at this time," Miller said in a news release. The child's name and gender have not been released.

The child remains in custody, Miller said, adding, "Officers have found no evidence that any additional students were involved in Monday’s incident."

As officers investigated that incident, students and families reported rumors of additional threats to PBMS, the police spokeswoman said.

"Those threats were investigated, and during that investigation, officers arrested another PBMS student on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct for making widespread threats, though they were deemed not credible.," she said.

Superintendent Dr. Cook says this incident should spark community conversation - with caution.

"There's a lot of different things to discuss here," he said. "You know, the fact that a minor had access to a gun and could bring it into a school, or to try to do something like that, that's its own discussion. It's not a political conversation that we're talking about. We're just talking about the access to guns in homes, and whether or not minors should have that. "

Bend Police said their investigation into Monday’s incident is ongoing, and Bend-La Pine Schools says their own investigation will begin once that's concluded.

In the meantime, Cook is urging parents to avoid speculation: "It's too soon to jump to those conclusions. But I assure you that we will dig into that deeply, when we have that opportunity."

The latest developments heightened concerns among parents, as one might expect:

"It’s disturbing - it's kind of every parent's worst nightmare," said Josh Hernandez, parent of a Pilot Butte eighth-grader, told us late Thursday. "You know, you hear about something like this, someone coming into school to where your kids at -- and you can't really do anything about it. You know, it's ... yeah, it's unsettling.”

Another Pilot Butte parent said, "I mean, it's definitely scary. It's not something that you ever want to like, you know, read about at your kids' school."

David Shapiro, the grandparent of a student, called it "a near-tragedy that was tragic in the fact that it was possible at all - just really a gut punch."

Nate Bole, parent of a Sky View Middle School eighth-grader, said, "You know, I just - I don't really know what to make of it, honestly. Like, with the new information is going on, I heard about it, and I really hoped that, there are some different circumstances. But now, knowing some some new information, it makes me really worry to send my kid to school. ”

Here's Thursday's statement from Cook, on behalf of Bend-La Pine Schools: 

“We stand with our students, staff and families in expressing significant concern over the details emerging from the police investigation of the Oct. 21 incident at Pilot Butte Middle School. At the same time, we are so relieved and grateful for the actions of our staff and School Resource Officer in preventing what could have been a tragic outcome. We appreciate our partnership and collaborative decision-making with the Bend Police Department. This remains an ongoing police investigation. We also want to recognize and continue to support our students and families, who understandably remain concerned and have many questions. The District will continue to provide counseling resources at Pilot Butte.”

Dr. Steven Cook, Superintendent