STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Let's hear now from a member of the community, Jeff Eager, who is the former mayor of Bend, Oregon, and lives a few blocks from the elementary school. Mr. Eager, thanks for joining us.
JEFF EAGER: Thanks for having me, Steve.
INSKEEP: And I'm sorry this would happen to your community or any community. What was your experience yesterday?
EAGER: Well, my experience was I was working here in my home office. Didn't hear anything happen out there. Got a phone call about half an hour after the event and walked over there. The biggest thing that struck me was just how quiet everything was. I mean, there were hundreds of parents, dozens of law enforcement officers, and it was nearly silent. I guess, I'd never thought about what the aftermath of a school shooting would be like, but I learned that it's quiet.
INSKEEP: I'm thinking about what that silence means. I suppose one thing it means is that after so many shootings, everybody there knew what this was.
EAGER: Yes. I think so.
INSKEEP: We heard from Arezou that this was a school and a school district that seemed to have made preparations for this kind of event. There was a lockdown within a couple of minutes of a 911 call. Officers arrived very quickly. How well prepared was this community for such an occasion?
EAGER: I think pretty well prepared, as sad as that is to say. Like you said, the response time was very fast. You know, the school district has invested significant sums in security in recent years. This was about a 10-year-old school, so relatively new, presumably had decent security in it. Obviously, whatever was there didn't work.
INSKEEP: How do you think about the days ahead?
EAGER: I think there's going to be a lot of sadness. I think that the Bend community is - it's a strong one. It will excel as it helps people through this process. It's a good place, and we know how to take care of each other. And that's what I expect to see.
INSKEEP: Jeff Eager was mayor of Bend Oregon from 2011 to 2013. He lives near Silver Rail Elementary. Thanks so much.
EAGER: Thanks, Steve. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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