Bend Students Walk Out After Shooting to Demand Safer Schools

Hundreds of Bend-area high school students walked out of class and rallied downtown against gun violence after an Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary killed a teacher and three students. Students said they were honoring victims, supporting affected families and demanding safer schools, with some calling for stronger gun laws and others urging people to set politics aside and act together. The district acknowledged students’ right to peaceful assembly and informed families about its walkout procedures. Separately, more than 100 teachers, students and parents in Billings rallied for school safety after authorities announced that no felony charges would be filed in a high-profile stabbing at Billings Senior High School.