Oregon carpenter fired six shots to stop school shooter

Kaylub Giamanco fired six shots inside a classroom at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, earlier this month. The 36-year-old carpenter killed the gunman, Griffin J John II, ending an attack that left three students and a teacher dead. Giamanco spoke publicly this week about the physical and emotional toll of the intervention.

In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting that aired on Friday, Giamanco addressed the parents of the victims. He said he wanted to apologize for not saving the children he did not reach. "I want to apologise for not saving their babies," he said. He added that while gratitude for saving lives was overwhelming, the pain of losing others remained.

The attack began in a classroom at the school, which is located in Bend. Police identified the shooter as a 16-year-old former student who had attended special education classes at the site. His motive is still under investigation. Six people were shot in total. Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, died along with teacher Megan Lambert, 25. Two others survived: teacher Becky Drury, 54, and another child.

Giamanco described the morning of the shooting as routine until he decided to go home for lunch. He and his wife had spent extra time getting their daughters ready because it was school picture day. He drove past the school as the attack started. He initially thought someone carrying a long gun was playing a prank. He changed his mind when he saw the gunman fire at a pickup truck and move toward the building.

Giamanco retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and called emergency services. He told the dispatcher, "I'm sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die." He followed the attacker, who shot through the school's locked glass doors. Hearing children plead for help, Giamanco crawled toward the building. He said he told himself it was probably the last thing he would ever do.

He crawled through a shattered window to reach the classroom. Inside, a teacher was struggling with the gunman. Giamanco opened the door and fired. He shot again when the attacker reached for his weapon. Giamanco placed his own gun on the ground and raised his hands as a police officer appeared. He described feeling like the last line of defense between the children and the shooter.

Police credited the teacher who fought the attacker with helping prevent further casualties. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said she almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed. The teacher had thrown her phone at the gunman, tackled him, and fought to take his shotgun. Giamanco said he wanted to meet the victims' families to cry with them and hold them. He called the teacher a true hero.

The youngest victim was Rhoam Summer, aged five. His father said the family was broken and lost. Lambert was working in what her family described as her dream job. They noted that she always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. The other two boys have not been publicly named at their families' request.

Giamanco's name became public less than a day after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, read a family statement asking for privacy and saying he was not seeking recognition. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised his intervention while acknowledging the emotional cost. She said his actions carried a heavy burden and that her thoughts were with him.

Giamanco told OPB that he now lies awake after his family goes to bed, replaying the events. He said he relives the moment, sees faces, hears voices, and hears screams.