Dad describes killing gunman in Oregon school shooting
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Carpenter Kaylub Giamanco says he shot the gunman who killed four at his daughters' Bend, Oregon school.
He says he regrets the children he couldn't save and wants better school security.
Background
Kaylub Giamanco is a 36-year-old carpenter and lifelong Bend, Oregon resident with two daughters at Silver Rail Elementary School. On Oct 15, 2026, a 16-year-old former pupil, Griffin J. John II, opened fire at the school, killing three students and a teacher. Giamanco, who happened to drive past the school after deciding to go home for lunch, pursued the gunman and fatally shot him. He gave his first public account of the shooting to Oregon Public Broadcasting on Oct 23, saying he is speaking out to advocate for better school security.
How it unfolded
- Oct 15, 2026A 16-year-old former student opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three students and a teacher. Kaylub Giamanco, driving by, pursued and fatally shot him.
- Oct 16, 2026Flowers were laid at the entry sign of Silver Rail Elementary School.
- Oct 23, 2026Oregon Public Broadcasting published its interview with Giamanco, his first public account of the shooting.
- Oct 24, 2026ABC7 Los Angeles published its report on Giamanco's account.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Oregon governor Tina Kotek said Giamanco "heroically intervened to stop further loss of life," and Bend police chief Mike Krantz credited the teacher who tackled the shooter with almost certainly preventing more bloodshed.
- Public
- Giamanco said the gratitude for saving people's children is "awesome," but he also apologised for not saving their babies and said he is haunted by those he couldn't save.
- Support
- Giamanco called the teacher who fought the attacker "a real true hero" and said he would love to give her a hug.
Still unverified
The gunman's motive remains under investigation, according to police.