Oregon's Governor on 'Heartbreaking' School Shooting

Students and family members gather after a gunman opened fire at Oregon's Umpqua Community College Thursday

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown somberly addressed the media this afternoon, informing them that 13 people are dead after a 20-year-old gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College.

Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.

Read Full Bio

Sunnivie Brydum

October 01 2015 5:21 PM EST

March 13 2017 4:45 AM EST

sunnivie

We need your help
Your support makes The Advocate's original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Become a member today to help us continue this work.

At least 13 people have died after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Umpqua Community College in southwest Oregon at 10:38 a.m. local time today, injuring as many as 20 other people, reports the Associated Press.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters the gunman was killed while exchanging gunfire with law enforcement officials, according to NBC News. Police are currently investigating social media posts the suspect allegedly made Wednesday night that may have indicated his plans, notes CNN.

In a short address to media this afternoon, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced that the gunman was a 20-year-old male but declined to offer additional details about the shooter's identity or possible connection to the school, according to the AP.

"Today is heartbreaking for Umpqua Community College, the greater Roseburg community, and all of Oregon," Gov. Brown said in a statement before she addressed the media. "My heart is heavy as details of today's shooting become available. While it is still too early to know all of the facts, the effects of an incident such as this one are long-lasting. Please join me in keeping the victims and their families, as well as first responders, in your thoughts."

Law enforcement officials speaking with reporters outside the two-year school located 180 miles south of Portland acknowledged that Umpqua Community College was a self-described "gun-free campus," with a policy in place informing its roughly 3,300 full-time students that firearms were forbidden on the campus. However, the AP notes that the grounds are currently protected by a single security guard who does not carry a gun, despite recent conversations within the school community about strengthening security before the fatal attack.