Oregon Father Recounts Stopping School Gunman After 6 Were Shot

Q: What pushed an armed father to become the absolute last line of defense inside a shattered classroom?

Kaylub Giamanco says a split-second belief that more children would die if he hesitated pushed him into the shattered classroom. He had just happened to be driving past Silver Rail Elementary after deciding to go home for lunch when he saw a gunman in black fire outside the school and climb the fence toward it. After calling 911, Giamanco retrieved his legally owned .40-caliber handgun from his truck and went after the shooter. He later told Oregon Public Broadcasting that the turning point came when he heard children “pleading for their lives” and more gunfire inside. At that moment, he said, he felt he had no choice but to go in, telling the dispatcher, “I’m sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die.” Inside, he crawled on his hands and knees, entered through a broken window and reached the classroom where a teacher was already fighting the 16-year-old gunman, Griffin J. John II, for control of the shotgun. Giamanco said he fired because he realized he was effectively the last barrier between the attacker and the children still alive in that room. His account shows the decision was driven less by instinct for heroism than by urgency: he believed waiting for police, even for moments, could cost more lives. Police have said the teacher’s struggle and Giamanco’s intervention together likely prevented additional deaths. Four people were killed before the attack was stopped: teacher Megan Lambert and three children, including 5-year-old Rhoam Summer.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 23

Kaylub Giamanco, 36, gave his first interview about the Oct. 15 Silver Rail Elementary attack, saying he told a 911 operator, “I have to go in. People are going to die.”
After seeing a gunman climb the school fence and open fire, the Bend carpenter grabbed a .40-caliber handgun from his car, pursued him into the school and fatally shot 16-year-old former student Griffin J John II.
The shooting left teacher Megan Lambert, 25, and three children dead, including 5-year-old Rhoam Summer; two other people were wounded before Giamanco stopped the attack.
Giamanco said he still lies awake replaying the scene, apologized for “not saving their babies,” and called for school resource officers at every campus and new funding for school safety.