Oregon school shooter's father describes grief over students he could not save

Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter, has described the profound sorrow he feels over the three students and one teacher who died at his daughters' school in Oregon earlier this month. While he is being celebrated for fatally shooting the 16-year-old attacker, Giamanco says he is haunted by the children he was unable to rescue. His account, shared in a recent interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, offers a glimpse into the psychological toll of the intervention that halted the violence at Silver Rail Elementary School.

The incident occurred earlier this month when Griffin J John II, a former pupil who had attended special education classes at the school, opened fire in a classroom. Police confirmed that six people were shot in total. Three boys, aged five, eight, and 11, were killed, along with a teacher. Another student and a second teacher were wounded. The motive behind the attack remains under active investigation by local authorities.

Giamanco recalled that the day began like any other, with breakfast and the preparation of packed lunches. Because it was school picture day, he and his wife spent extra time getting their daughters ready. Although he had taken lunch to his job site, he decided to return home to eat with his wife instead. That choice placed him near the school as the attack commenced. At first, he thought the person carrying a long gun was playing a prank, but his assumption changed when he saw the gunman fire at a pickup truck and move toward the school building.

Acting on instinct, Giamanco retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and contacted emergency services. He told the broadcaster, 'I said, I'm sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die.' He followed the attacker, who shot through the school's locked glass doors. Hearing children plead for their lives and the sound of more gunfire, Giamanco decided to crawl toward the building. He described the moment as likely being the last thing he would ever do.

Giamanco entered through a shattered window to find a teacher locked in a struggle with the gunman. He opened the door and fired. He shot again when the attacker reached for his weapon. After the gunman fell, Giamanco placed his own gun on the ground and raised his hands as a police officer arrived. He described feeling like the final line of defense between the children and the shooter, stating that he was supposed to be there that day.

In the interview, Giamanco expressed a deep desire to meet the families of the victims. He said he wanted to cry with them and hold them. He also offered a heartfelt tribute to the teacher who initially confronted the attacker, crediting her for giving him the chance to intervene without losing his own life. He called her a true hero and said he would love to give her a hug. Police noted that the teacher threw her phone at the gunman, tackled him, and fought to take his shotgun.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz stated that the teacher's actions almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed. The youngest victim was identified as Rhoam Summer, who was five years old. His father said the family was broken and lost. The teacher who was killed, Megan Lambert, was 25. Her family described her job as her dream role and noted that she always fought for those with special needs. The other two boys have not been publicly named at their families' request. The injured teacher, Becky Drury, 54, said in a statement that the gunman shot her as she tried to close her classroom door.

Giamanco's identity became public less than 24 hours after the shooting. His mother, Kenda Freeman, released a statement on his behalf, asking for privacy and noting that he was not seeking recognition. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek praised Giamanco's intervention while acknowledging the heavy emotional burden it carries. She said her thoughts were with him as he processed the event. Giamanco told OPB that he now lies awake at night, replaying the attack in his mind. He said he relives the moment, seeing faces, hearing voices, and hearing screams.

The family statement and the governor's comments have highlighted the personal cost of the heroism displayed at the school. For Giamanco, the gratitude for saving lives is mixed with the pain of loss. His story has become a focal point for discussions on the aftermath of school shootings in the United States, particularly regarding the emotional impact on those who intervene to stop the violence. The community continues to mourn the victims while supporting the families affected by the tragedy.