Bend carpenter breaks silence on stopping school shooter, details fatal confrontation
Kaylub Giamanco, the 36-year-old carpenter who fatally shot the gunman at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, has broken his silence. In an exclusive interview, he detailed how he intervened on October 15, stopping a 16-year-old shooter who had already killed four people. Giamanco described the chaotic moments of entering the school and neutralizing the threat, while also expressing grief for the victims he could not save.
Key points
- Giamanco stated he was near the school on October 15 because he decided to go home for lunch instead of eating at his job site.
- He witnessed the shooter, identified as Griffin J. John II, fire at a truck and a lawn worker before entering the school.
- Giamanco retrieved a .40 caliber handgun from his truck console, called 911, and entered the school to stop the attack.
- The shooter had killed three students and a teacher before Giamanco and a teacher intervened.
- Giamanco expressed regret for not saving all the victims and is now advocating for improved school safety measures.
Background
The incident occurred on October 15, 2026, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Previous reporting established that the shooter, a 16-year-old former student, used a pump-action shotgun to kill four people, including three children and a 25-year-old teacher. Two others were hospitalized. Law enforcement arrived within minutes but found the suspect already deceased, crediting a bystander for stopping the rampage.
How outlets are covering it
While all sources confirm the basic timeline, they differ in emphasis. WYFF and CNN focus on the immediate action and the national praise Giamanco received, including comments from President Trump. OPB provides a deeper psychological profile, noting Giamanco’s trauma, his background with military veterans, and his desire to avoid political polarization. The Guardian highlights the specific victims, naming the teacher and one of the children. There is a slight discrepancy in the weapon description; WYFF and CNN refer to a 'long gun' or 'rifle,' while OPB and The Guardian specify a shotgun, consistent with earlier police reports.
Why it matters
Giamanco’s account offers a rare first-person perspective on a civilian stopping a mass shooting, an event experts note is exceptionally rare in the U.S. His advocacy for school resource officers and bulletproof glass highlights ongoing debates about school safety and gun control. Additionally, his emotional struggle and public statements may influence public discourse on the role of armed civilians in emergency situations.
What to watch
Giamanco is planning a motocross race to raise funds for school safety improvements. He has not yet returned to his carpentry work and is currently staying away from his home due to the proximity of the school. He has not yet spoken to the families of the victims.
- ‘I have to go in’: Father who killed Oregon school shooter recounts deadly attack WYFF
- ‘I’m just a carpenter from Bend’: Father who killed Silver Rail school shooter grapples with the aftermath Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB
- Oregon father who killed school shooter speaks out for first time: ‘I have to go in’ The Guardian
- ‘I have to go in,’ Bend school shooting hero told a 911 dispatcher. ‘People are going to die.’ CNN
- ‘I Have to Go In’: Dad Describes Killing Gunman in Oregon School Shooting The New York Times
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