Alleged gunman, student dead after Oregon school shooting, police say

A teen gunman armed with a rifle shot and killed a 14-year-old student Tuesday and injured a teacher before he likely killed himself at a high school in a quiet town in Oregon, authorities said.

After the shooting stopped in Troutdale, located less than 20 miles east of Portland, police spotted the suspect slumped on a toilet in a bathroom at Reynolds High School. Officers used a robot with a camera to investigate and discovered the suspect was dead and that he had likely killed himself, Troutdale police spokesman Sgt. Carey Kaer said.

His victim was identified as freshman Emilio Hoffman, who was "loved by all," police Chief Scott Anderson said at a Tuesday news conference. He said Hoffman was found in the boys' locker room.

Officials did not name the assailant or comment on a motive for the shooting or if the victim was an intended target.  Anderson did say that the weapon used by the alleged gunman was a rifle, but officials would not say if the individual was a student.  

The police chief also said that another individual was taken into custody after a gun was found on their person during the evacuation, but Anderson stressed that the incident was unrelated to the shooting. 

Television footage of the events Tuesday showed police officers in helmets and tactical gear, leaving armored vehicles and running near the school's perimeter with long rifles. Students were seen streaming out of the school with their hands raised.

A student told The Oregonian newspaper that the shooting took place in a locker room, and that one victim, a teacher, was taken out on a stretcher.

"This is a very tragic day, one that I had hoped would never, ever be part of my experience," Reynolds School District Superintendent Linda Florence said. "We feel very sorry for our parents and our kids." 

Florence also said that counseling would be provided to any students who needed it in the aftermath of Tuesday's events. 

Wednesday was to be the last day of school before summer vacation. Authorities are expected to have more details as they continue their probe throughout the day. Police said they were now focusing their efforts on reuniting students with their parents. 

"This has been a very unsettling day for our precious city," said Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust.

Since the mass shooting at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, there have been more than 70 school shootings.

Philip J. Victor contributed to this report, with Al Jazeera and wire services