Four people, including three children, have died after a school shooting in Oregon.

The shooting took place at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Thursday.

Officers received dozens of calls that a suspect armed with a long gun had entered the school building, Bend Police Department chief Mike Krantz said.

Shortly after 1.02pm (9.02pm UK time), first responders discovered that the suspect had been shot and killed by a member of the public who pursued them into the school.

After this, police found that four people - a teacher and three children aged five, eight and 11 - had died.

A seven-year-old and another teacher were taken to hospital, Mr Krantz said, adding that the suspect was 16 years old.

Speaking at a news conference with the police chief, the local school superintendent said classes, activities and athletic events across the area have been cancelled for Friday.

Bend mayor Melanie Kebler added that "a school should be a safe place ... what happened today should never happen" - and announced a community vigil.

Police said they did not know if the shooter knew anyone at the school or whether he had attended.

Sheila Miller, a spokesperson for the Bend Police Department, told reporters earlier that Silver Rail Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade, roughly ages five to 11, and has about 450 students and 40 staff members.

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Oregon governor Tina Kotek said earlier on Facebook that "we must come together and support each other, neighbour to neighbour, Oregonian to Oregonian" following the "tragic event".

At the news conference, she also praised the community member who shot the suspect in the shooting.

FBI chief Kash Patel said on X that federal agents were on the scene "assisting our local partners in the investigation" and that his agency would "make every resource they need available".

Tributes poured in for the victims of the shooting.

Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on X saying: "Devastating. Little kids. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and the people of Oregon.

"No family should ever have to suffer like this - and there have been over 50 school shootings just this year.

"Congress must do much more to prevent gun violence."

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said news of the shooting was "horrifying", as he called for reform on the use of guns in the US.

"Every child deserves to be and feel safe in the classroom," he said in a post on X.

"No parent should have to send their child to school worried if they'll return home.

"This senseless gun violence has taken far too many lives in our country and it's time for real reform that will save lives."