President Donald Trump praised an armed bystander who shot and killed a teenage gunman at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, calling the civilian a “great hero” after a shooting that left four people dead.

The 16-year-old attacker killed three children and a teacher on Thursday. Another child and a teacher were critically wounded, according to the report.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump credited the bystander with stopping the attack before it could become even deadlier.

“As bad as it was, we had a great hero that went in and did the business,” Trump said. “It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it.”

Police said the armed civilian pursued the gunman into the school and shot him dead before responding officers arrived.

The National Rifle Association also praised the bystander, arguing that the incident demonstrated the role armed citizens can play when innocent people face an immediate threat.

“Yesterday’s terrible act of violence in Oregon serves as another reminder of the importance of a law-abiding armed citizenry,” the NRA said in a post on X.

The organization added that the bystander’s actions illustrated the courage of ordinary citizens prepared to respond when lives are in danger.

The shooting also renewed calls for stricter gun laws. GIFFORDS, a gun-control organization co-founded by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a near-fatal shooting, condemned the violence and demanded action.

“America’s gun violence crisis is killing our babies. Enough is enough,” the group said on X.

The Gun Violence Archive has recorded more than 360 mass shootings in the United States this year, using a definition that counts incidents in which at least four people are shot, excluding the gunman.

The tragedy has again exposed the divide between advocates who emphasize firearm restrictions and those who argue that law-abiding citizens should retain the ability to defend themselves and others. While polls cited in the report indicate broad public support for tighter controls on firearm purchases, the NRA opposes additional restrictions, and lawmakers have repeatedly failed to reach agreement on new measures.