Crime
14-year-old LaJuan Swopes killed after shooting outside STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High School in Ferguson
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 14-year-old has died and another juvenile remains in serious condition following a shooting Tuesday evening in the parking lot of STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley in Ferguson, authorities confirmed.
A 13-year-old suspect is currently in custody.
According to the Ferguson Police Department, the incident occurred as attendees were leaving a track meet that began earlier in the day at approximately 4 p.m.
The event, hosted at the school, involved participation from approximately 20 schools.
Police responded to reports of gunfire in the parking lot area and located multiple victims.
Early Wednesday, officials confirmed that one of those victims, a 14-year-old LaJuan Swopes, succumbed to their injuries.
Another juvenile, whose age has not been publicly released, sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized.
Authorities have taken a 13-year-old into custody in connection with the shooting. No additional details regarding charges have been released at this time.
Ferguson Police spokesperson Patricia Washington stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public, emphasizing that the situation was quickly contained.
The Ferguson-Florissant School District confirmed that none of its students were involved in the incident.
In a statement, district officials expressed concern over the proximity of the violence to school grounds:
“We understand that situations like this can feel unsettling, and we are saddened to have something happen so close to our schools. We are grateful to our local law enforcement partners for their quick action. The safety of our students and staff will continue to be our top priority.”
Investigators have not yet determined what led to the shooting.
Authorities indicated that they are reviewing social media activity as part of efforts to establish a possible motive.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.