Rural school in Oregon tests readiness of staff by having gunmen attack with blanks

Halfway, Ore. (Photo by Richard Cockle, The Oregonian)

Masked gunmen entered a rural school in Oregon and opened fire on a meeting room full of teachers. When no one was killed or injured, staff members realized the gunmen were shooting blanks. It was a drill intended to test employees' readiness in case of an actual attack, reports Richard Cockle for The Oregonian.

Employees at Pine Eagle Charter School in Halfway, a northwest Oregon ranching town with a population of 288, have received training from the sheriff's department on active-shooter scenarios, but this was their first time being "attacked" by shooters, writes Cockle.

Some people have been critical of the training, but Principal Cammie DeCastro told Cockle that most are in favor of it, and the goal of the drill was to learn how people would react, so better emergency plans could be made. The next move could include arming teachers or having armed and trained volunteers from the community watch the school in shifts. (Read more)