Tom Llamas leads a packed broadcast from tragedy to politics and war.
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas opened its October 15 broadcast with breaking news from Bend, Oregon, before moving through dangerous weather, a startling Florida daycare crash, a reversal over a planned execution livestream, new developments in Ukraine and questions surrounding the White House press secretary.
The night’s lead story was the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, where police said a 16-year-old gunman forced his way into the school and opened fire. NBC reported that three children — ages 5, 8 and 11 — and a teacher were killed. A 7-year-old child and another teacher were critically injured.
NBC Nightly News — Oct. 15
The full broadcast, story by story.
Tom Llamas leads NBC Nightly News through breaking reports from Oregon, Texas, Florida, Washington and Ukraine.
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Four Killed in Bend, Oregon Elementary School Shooting
Police told NBC that a community member who saw the suspect enter the school pursued him inside and shot him. By the time officers entered, the teenage gunman was dead. First responders then went classroom to classroom evacuating students and staff before buses carried children to a reunification center where families waited for word.
Authorities said the attack began shortly before 1 p.m. local time. Federal agencies were assisting with the investigation, and officials had not yet publicly identified the teenage shooter or established whether he had any connection to the school.
Texas Flood Rescues as California Fire Danger Grows
The next developing story stretched across several states. In Midland, Texas, firefighters responded to more than two dozen rescue calls as flash flooding swallowed roads and stranded vehicles. NBC showed first responders carrying people through rushing water as millions from Texas into Oklahoma remained under flood alerts.
At the same time, Southern California crews were battling a new wildfire in Los Angeles County as evacuation orders and warnings went out. Red flag warnings were also in effect across parts of California, with low humidity and gusty winds increasing the risk that new fires could spread quickly.
SUV Crashes Into Florida Daycare With Children Inside
Outside Orlando, an SUV crashed through the wall of a daycare while children were inside. Fire officials said three four-year-old children and two adults, including the driver, were injured. NBC reported that the 79-year-old driver left the roadway, crossed lanes of traffic and struck the building.
The hospital system treating the patients told NBC News they were all in good condition. The investigation into what caused the crash remained ongoing.
Trump Stops Hegseth’s Plan to Livestream Nidal Hasan Execution
President Donald Trump overruled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and halted plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people and wounded 32.
NBC reported that Hegseth’s livestream proposal surprised administration and military officials and drew bipartisan opposition. According to the broadcast, Trump ultimately decided the execution would proceed without being streamed. Hasan’s execution was still scheduled for December 3.
Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries
Internationally, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the energy ceasefire with Russia was over, saying Russia had never stopped its attacks. Ukraine then resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries, while Russian President Vladimir Putin disputed claims of major refinery damage.
The report also touched on the restoration of Starshield internet service inside Ukraine and broader pressure on global energy markets, including continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Katie Zacharia Faces Questions Over Calling Herself a Lawyer
The broadcast then turned to new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, who faced questions over repeatedly describing herself as a lawyer despite not passing the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine Law School in 2011.
Zacharia defended the terminology in interviews, saying she had sought advice on whether she could describe herself as a lawyer rather than an attorney. NBC also reported that President Trump had referred to her as an attorney when announcing her hiring. The White House defended Zacharia, saying she was not being hired to serve as White House counsel.
The episode also included updates on suspicious letters sent to lawmakers and election officials, an ICE officer placed on administrative leave after striking a man with a vehicle, a new development in the Michelle Parker cold case and Billy Joel’s uncertainty over whether his health will allow him to tour again.
Watch NBC Nightly News With Tom Llamas — Full Oct. 15 Episode
NBC News’ full October 15, 2026 broadcast includes the Oregon school shooting, severe weather, the Florida daycare crash, the Nidal Hasan execution decision, Ukraine’s renewed refinery strikes and the Katie Zacharia report.
Source: NBC News / NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas, October 15, 2026.
