Oregon Father Recounts School Shooting Intervention

Families in Oregon are dealing with the aftermath of a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, where a former student killed a teacher and three students earlier this month. The man who stopped the gunman, Kaylub Giamanco, is now speaking publicly about the event, though his words focus less on the lives he saved and more on the tragedy he witnessed.

The incident unfolded on a day that began normally for Giamanco, a father and carpenter. He had prepared packed lunches for his daughters because it was school picture day. After taking lunch to his job, he decided to return home to eat with his wife, a choice that brought him past the school just as the attack began.

Giamanco, 36, told Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) that he initially mistook the long gun for a prank before seeing it fired at a truck. He retrieved a handgun from his own vehicle and contacted emergency services, stating he had to enter the building because people were going to die. Inside, he encountered a teacher fighting the attacker and moved to intervene.

Police identified the shooter as Griffin J John II, a 16-year-old former pupil. He was killed by Giamanco after shooting six people in a classroom, including a teacher and five children. Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, were killed. The teacher who died was Megan Lambert, 25, who her family said was in her dream job.

Giamanco's actions have been described as heroic by officials, but he expressed deep anguish regarding the victims in an interview with OPB that aired on Friday. He spoke of wanting to meet the families of those killed to cry with them and hold them. 'I want to apologise for not saving their babies,' Giamanco said. 'The gratitude for saving people's children is awesome, but there were ones that I didn't save.'

The father also credited a teacher who struggled with the gunman for giving him the opportunity to enter the classroom without losing his own life. 'I would love to give her a hug because that's a real true hero,' he said. Police have not identified the teacher who fought the attacker, but Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz stated that she 'almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed.'

Giamanco described feeling like the 'last line of defence' between the children and the gunman and stated he 'was supposed to be there' that day. He recounted crawling through a shattered window to reach the classroom where the struggle was taking place. He fired his weapon to stop the attacker and then raised his hands as police arrived.

The emotional toll on Giamanco continues after the physical danger has passed. He told OPB that he now lies awake after his family goes to bed, replaying the attack. 'I relive, I see faces, I hear voices, I hear screams,' he said. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation by police.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised Giamanco's intervention shortly after the attack while acknowledging its emotional cost. 'Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well,' she said. Giamanco's mother, Kenda Freeman, has asked for privacy for the family.