Kaylub Giamanco recounts trauma after stopping Oregon school shooting
The 36-year-old carpenter fired six rounds to kill a former student at Silver Rail Elementary, an incident that left three boys and a teacher dead.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Kaylub Giamanco described the emotional weight of failing to save every child during the Silver Rail Elementary shooting in an interview aired by Oregon Public Broadcasting on Friday.
Giamanco, 36, fatally shot Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old former pupil, inside the school earlier this month. The attack in Bend resulted in the deaths of three male students, aged five, eight, and 11, along with Megan Lambert, a 25-year-old teacher. Police reported that six individuals were shot in total, with one student and another teacher, Becky Drury, 54, suffering injuries.
Giamanco stated that his decision to go home for lunch that morning brought him past the school at the critical moment. After seeing the gunman fire at a vehicle, he retrieved a handgun and called emergency services. He then crawled through a broken window to reach the classroom where Lambert was wrestling with the attacker. Giamanco fired six shots, stating he opened fire when the gunman reached for his weapon. He described feeling like the final barrier between the shooter and the children.
Reflecting on the event, Giamanco expressed sorrow for the families who lost children. "I want to apologise for not saving their babies," he said. He noted that while gratitude for saving lives is profound, the awareness of those he could not reach remains painful. He also credited Lambert with creating the opportunity for him to intervene safely, calling her a true hero.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz stated that Lambert "almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed" by tackling the gunman and throwing her phone at him. Lambert's family described her as a dedicated educator who fought for students with special needs. The youngest victim, Rhoam Summer, was five years old. His father described the family as broken and lost. The other two boys have not been named publicly.
Giamanco's identity became public less than 24 hours after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, issued a statement requesting privacy for the family. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek acknowledged the heavy burden of the experience, expressing her thoughts for Giamanco. In the interview, Giamanco said he now lies awake at night replaying the sounds and images of the attack.
Police continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting. Giamanco said he plans to meet with the victims' families to support them. He described the day as the last thing he would ever do, a sentiment that underscores the lasting impact of the event on his daily life.
